Massive jugular and dural sinus reflux associated with cerebral death

Radionuclide cerebral angiograms demonstrated massive jugular venous reflux in two children with clinical and electroencephalographic evidence of cerebral death. With an antecubital injection, the tracer flowed up the jugular vein, through the transverse dural sinus, and down the contralateral jugular vein. No arterial flow was seen. We hypothesize that this unusual pattern reflects the absence of normal antegrade flow through the venous system. The appearance of jugular reflux is distinct from arterial flow and should not be confused with it. These cases illustrate communication between the systemic venous system and the dural sinuses. Although this pattern in not diagnostic of cerebral death, the appearance of radiotracer in the dural sinuses does not establish the presence of cerebral perfusion.