Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis | Figure 1

CincyKidsRad

Cincinnati Children's Radiology

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis

Axial non-contrast head CT (images 1 and 2) show a hyperdense clot (arrow) within the posterior aspect of the superior sagittal sinus and ischemic changes (arrowhead) within the anterolateral right frontal lobe, confirmed at a higher level on image 2. Contrast-enhanced images from a CT venogram (images 3 and 4) emphasize the filling defect (arrow) within the superior sagittal sinus. At the level of the torcula (image 4), the clot creates the 'empty delta' sign. This sign is indicative of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis, where contrast outlines the thrombus on a CT venogram. Such thrombosis can result from trauma, infection, or hypercoagulable states.