Utility of ZTE MRA in the diagnosis of sigmoid-related VPT

Abstract

Purpose Patients with vascular pulsatile tinnitus (VPT) originating from the sigmoid sinus are scanned using the ZTE MRA technique. This technique can reveal the transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus system without the need for exogenous contrast agents, and it can assess the diagnostic value of ZTE MRA. Methods and material: This study received prior approval and written consent from the Institutional Review Board. We collected 13 patients with sigmoid VPT (2 men, 11 women, aged 40.3 ± 12.0 years, 27–59 years) who underwent CT venography (CTV), MR venography (MRV), and ZTE MRA. The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ZTE MRA in demonstrating the deformed vascular mass, sigmoid sinus diverticulum (SSD), and the degree of transverse sinus stenosis (TSS). Results ZTE MRA can show the type of vascular malformation, the location of SSD, and there is no statistical difference in assessing the length and extent of TSS. Conclusions ZTE MRA can be used as a supplement and auxiliary means when CTV examination cannot be performed and can provide hemodynamic information of the transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus, which is of guiding significance for studying the pathogenesis of VPT.