Overview of the utility of noncontrast CT brain in the diagnosis of cerebral vein thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) accounts for approximately 1% of all stroke presentations and due to variable clinical presentation, it can present a diagnostic difficulty. The purpose of this review is to re-iterate the usefulness of noncontrast CT brain (CTB) in detecting CVT. In this pictorial essay, we highlight our experience in multiple cases where unenhanced CTB demonstrated imaging features of CVT allowing early diagnosis and ensuing prompt management of CVT. This reduces reliance on additional imaging modalities which may prove beneficial in departments where modalities such as magnetic resonance venogram which is considered gold standard imaging for CVT, are not readily available. This in turn may prove crucial in provision of earlier diagnosis and more favorable prognostic outcomes.