Original Article © Pol J Radiol, 2011; 76(1): 59-62 Figure 1. T2FatSat; slow blood flow in the internal jugular vein on the left. Figure 2. 2DTOF; slow blood flow in the left IJV. by Zamboni et al. [20]. Magnetic resonance venographies were performed on a General Electric 1.5T Signa HDx sys- tem. We scanned the IJVs from the level of sigmoid sinuses to the junction with brachiocephalic veins. We applied the following sequences: coronal fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences with fat saturation (T2 FatSat, TE/TR/slice thk. 106,6/3500/4), axial two-dimensional time-of-flight (2D TOF, TE/TR/slice thk. 3,7/8,6/3) and two-dimensional fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (2D FIESTA, TE/TR/slice thk. 2/4,5/4). FIESTA and 2DTOF sequences were also used to visualize the AV. During imaging of the latter vein, we applied Valsalva maneuver to reduce compression of the vein by the mediastinum, which made the AV a little wider on the scans. For the assessment of the morphology of IJVs and their possible anomalies or variants (also of external and ante- rior jugular veins, as well as other cervical veins), we used FIESTA imaging in 3 planes. With this technique, a func- tional narrowing of IJV, often present at the level of trans- verse process of C1, is well visible. A similar narrowing is sometimes found in the lower part of the IJV, at about 3–5 cm above the level of the junction with the subclavian vein. Here, the IJV is compressed between sternocleido- mastoid and anterior scalene muscle. It should be empha- sized that such narrowings are usually functional since they are not visible during catheter venography. Still, they can reflect a decreased pressure in veins and in this context they may constitute an indirect sign of CCSVI. To demon- strate the decreased flow, we used the T2FatSat and 2DTOF 60 Table 1. Results. Total number of patients Slower blood flow in IJV on the right side Slower blood flow in IJV on the left side Slower blood flow in IJVs on both sides with right-side predominance Slower blood flow in IJVs on both sides with left- side predominance Bilaterally with no side predominance Slower blood flow in IJVs, vertebral, subclavian and brachiocephalic veins NO change Additionally: slower blood flow in the AV 830 50 (6%) 124 (15%) 182 (22%) 282 (34%) 158 (19%) 17 17 42 (2%) (2%) (5%) sequences. The first one showed a bright (fluid-like) signal (Figure 1) and the second one, a decreased signal inside the vein, with a slower outflow (Figure 2). Results We performed MRV in 830 patients. The examination revealed a slower blood flow in IJVs. Only 17 patients (2%)