CT Brain + Venogram

When persistent headaches, blurred vision, or unexplained dizziness strike, the cause may lie in the veins that drain blood from your brain. CT BRAIN+VENOGRAM—also called CT Cerebral Venography—offers a painless, 15-minute scan that maps these veins in stunning detail. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we combine advanced 128-slice CT technology with compassionate care to give you answers fast.

CT Cerebral Venography is a specialized CT BRAIN+VENOGRAM study that uses iodine-based contrast dye and rapid X-ray imaging to create 3-D pictures of the brain’s venous system. Unlike standard head CT, it focuses on the dural venous sinuses and cortical veins, highlighting blockages, clots, or malformations that could trigger strokes or seizures.

1. Standard CT Brain + Venogram – single-session imaging of brain parenchyma and veins
2. Low-Dose Protocol – 30 % less radiation for follow-up scans
3. Dual-Energy CT Venography – enhanced clot-to-blood contrast for difficult cases

• Venous sinus patency (superior sagittal, transverse, sigmoid)
• Cortical vein caliber & filling defects
• Presence of collateral circulation
• Brain parenchyma for edema, hemorrhage, or infarct
• Skull bone integrity (to rule out fractures)

Common Indications

• Sudden, severe headache or thunderclap headache
• Blurred vision, double vision, or papilledema
• Suspected cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)
• Known clotting disorders (Factor V Leiden, antiphospholipid syndrome)
• Postpartum or post-operative neurological symptoms
• Evaluation before major sinus or brain surgery

• Fast: 5–10 minutes on the table, report within 60 minutes
• Non-invasive: No catheter insertion into the brain
• High accuracy: 95 % sensitivity for large-vessel CVST
• Same-day consultation with Cadabams Diagnostics neuroradiologist
• Digital access to images via secure patient portal

• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF)
• Venous sinus stenosis
• Skull-base tumors compressing venous sinuses

Do’s

• Arrive 30 minutes early for registration
• Bring previous imaging CDs or reports
• Inform staff of pregnancy or contrast allergies

Don’ts

• Avoid caffeine 4 hours prior (reduces motion)
• No metal hairpins or earrings (cause artifacts)
• Fasting not required, but light meal preferred

1. Kidney Function Test (serum creatinine or eGFR) within 4 weeks
2. Consent form signed after allergy screening
3. Diabetes medication review—metformin may need pause for 48 h post-contrast

• Acute symptoms: same day or within 24 h
• Routine follow-up: 6–12 weeks after starting anticoagulation
• Pre-surgical planning: 1–2 days before the scheduled operation

1. Check-in: Verify ID, allergy history, and creatinine report.
2. IV line insertion: 18–20 G cannula in the antecubital vein.
3. Positioning: Lie supine, head in the CT head-holder.
4. Contrast injection: 80–100 mL non-ionic iodine at 4 mL/s.
5. Scanning: Table moves through the gantry in < 10 s.
6. Recovery: 15-minute observation for delayed reactions.
7. Report: Soft copy emailed; hard copy optional.

• Allergic to shellfish? Inform technician—cross-reactivity possible.
• Breastfeeding? Pump and discard milk for 24 h after contrast.
• Claustrophobic? Open-bore CT with music available.

• Contrast allergy (rare; pre-medication available)
• Radiation exposure: equal to ~4 months of natural background—lower than conventional angiography
• Kidney stress if eGFR < 30 mL/min; alternative MRI may be advised
• Limitation: Very small distal clots (< 1 mm) may be missed; clinical correlation is key