Purpose
The falcine sinus is an embryonic vessel that normally closed after birth.
Most variation occurs when the falcine sinus continue to exist after birth or open again after normally closed (Fig 1)[1-4].
The aim of this study is to evaluate the MRI characteristics of falcine sinus and its variation under pathological or physiological conditions in a large series of cases.
Methods and Materials
A total of 561 consecutive patients were enrolled in the retrospective study.
There were 273 males and 288 females,
with age from 3 to 85 years.
MRI scan was performed by a 3.0 T MR system（Siemens Magnetom Trio Tim).
Scan sequences included MR venography (GR TR 2.6~2.9ms，TE 1.0~1.1ms，FOV 640×640) and sagittal 3D enhancement scan (GR TR 4.8ms，TE 1.5ms，FOV 280×320~768×768，slice thickness 0.8mm，interlayer spacing 0mm) except for routine sequences (axial T1WI,
T2WI and coronal T2WI FLAIR).The incidence,
characteristics of the falcine sinus and related intracranial lesions were...
Results
Falcine sinuses were shown in 27 cases (4.8%,
27/561,
whose age range from 10 to 76 years,
14 males and 13 females).
In theses case,
no significant difference was observed in gender and age (Table 1).
Falcine sinuses were always shown between the vein of Galen and the posterior one-thirds of the superior saggital sinus,
with diameter from 3.5 to 17mm.
There are three main forms of falcine sinus: arch-like,
stick-like and bifurcated (Fig 2-4).
The number were 10 cases,
3 cases and 2cases,
respectively....
Conclusion
Falcine sinuses are not rare,
without age and gender tendency.
When the straight sinus is absent or rudimentary,
the falcine sinus can berecanalized.
Most falcine sinuses are not associated with congenital malformation[1].
Associated anomalies with persistent falcine sinus include bifid cranium,
vein of Galen malformation,
agenesis of the corpus callosum,
Apert syndrome,
osteogenesis imperfecta,
Chiari malformation Type II,
occipital encephalocele,
absent or dysplastic tentorium cerebelli,
and bilateral giant parietal foramina[2-5].When the pressure in venous sinuses increases,
falcine sinus can be recanalized to realize venous drainage...
References
1.C.W.
Ryu.Persistent Falcine Sinus: Is It Really Rare?Am J Neuroradiol,
2010,31:367-369.
2.R.N.
Sener.Association of persistent falcine sinus with different clinicoradiologic conditions: MR imaging and MR angiography.Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics 2000,24:343-348.
3.Myoung SK,Ghi JL.Two Cases with Persistent Falcine Sinus as Congenital Variation.J Korean Neurosurg Soc,
2010,48:82-84.
4.William MS,
James LL,
Thomas AT.Persistent Falcine Sinus in an Adult:Demonstration by MR Venography.Am J Neuroradiol,
2005,26:750-751.
5.Krishnan SM,
Thamburaj K,
Bejoy T,
Tirur RK.An incidental persistent falcine sinus with dominant straight sinus and hypoplastic distal superior sagittal sinus.Pediatr...
Personal Information
Ling Zhang MD,
Department of Medical Imaging & Interventional Radiology,
Cancer Center,
Sun Yat-Sen University,
Guangzhou,
China;
[email protected]
Jian Guan MD,
Department of Medical Imaging,First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University,
Guangzhou,
China;
[email protected]
Zhi-yun Yang MD,
Department of Medical Imaging,First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University,
Guangzhou,
China;
[email protected]
