Does the prone sleeping position affect the intracranial dural venous flow?

PURPOSE

There are few studies documenting the effect of posture on intracranial dural venous flow. The aim of the present study was to explore alterations caused by the prone position using magnetic resonance (MR) venography.

METHODS

A total of eight patients (five men and three women) underwent non-contrast MR venography in both supine and prone positions.

RESULTS

In the prone position, an increase in intracranial dural venous flow was found in all patients in the non-dominant transverse and sigmoid sinuses. An increase in venous flow to the straight sinus was observed in 75% of the patients. Flow to the superior ophthalmic vein decreased in three patients. No postural flow alterations were observed in any of the patients in the superior sagittal, dominant transverse, and sigmoid sinuses.

CONCLUSION

Based on results of the study, in the prone sleeping position, part of the intracranial venous flow may be preferentially drained through the straight and non-dominant transverse sinuses.