Vein of Labbe

The vein of Labbé (also known as the inferior anastomotic vein) is a large superficial vein running from the superficial middle cerebral vein to the transverse sinus. It's found over the mid (60%), posterior (30%), or anterior (10%) aspects of the temporal lobe

The characteristic appearance of thrombosis of the vein of Labbé is hemorrhagic infarction in the lateral aspect of the temporal lobe. Since the drainage territory of the vein of Labbé overlaps the middle cerebral artery territory, occlusion of middle cerebral artery branches may cause a similar appearance.

The two may be differentiating by noting 1) the invariable involvement of the adjacent insular cortex in middle cerebral artery occlusion 2) the propensity of venous occlusions to cause hemorrhagic infarction, and 3) the age of the patient (venous infarctions are more common in young patients).

Reference

• Radiopaedia
• Jones BV. Lobar Hemorrhage from Thrombosis of the Vein of Labbé. Radiology 2003;228:693-696.