The cerebral venogram: a statistical analysis of the sequence of venous filling in cerebral angiograms.

Abstract

THE PHENOMENON of early appearance of veins in the sequence of angiographic filling was commented upon by Tonnis in 1937 (1). Since that time the order of venous filling has been extensively reported (2–7). There is, however, still some disagreement on the precise order in which superficial and deep veins fill in relation to one another and to the sinuses. This study provides with the aid of a computer an analysis of the specific order of venous filling in the normal cerebral angiogram. A pattern of the sequence of filling is obtained, in which each vein is represented within the matrix in relation to other venous structures. The importance of the venous phase in cerebral angiography has been widely accepted. In many cases the diagnostic value of the phlebogram exceeds that of the arteriogram. Steinhart (8) in 1960 and Baker (9) in 1964 found that in their separate series of cerebral angiograms the venous phase was of greater importance in 14 and 8 per cent, respectively. Criteria used in the assessment o...