Characterization of neurovascular compression in facial neuralgia patients by 3D high-resolution MRI and image fusion technique
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
;
(12): 476-479, 2012.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-819648
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To describe the anatomical characteristics and patterns of neurovascular compression (NVC) in patients suffering trigeminal neuralgia (TN) by 3D high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method and image fusion technique.@*METHODS@#The anatomic structure of trigeminal nerve, brain stem and blood vessel was observed in 100 consecutive TN patients by 3D high resolution MRI (3D SPGR, contrast-enhanced T1 3D MP-RAGE and T2/T1 3D FIESTA). The 3D image sources were fused and visualized using 3D DOCTOR software.@*RESULTS@#One or several NVC sites, which usually appeared 0-9.8 mm away from brain stem, were found on the symptomatic side in 93% of the TN cases. Superior cerebellar artery was involved in 76% (71/93) of these cases. The other vessels including antero-inferior cerebellar artery, vertebral artery, basilar artery and veins also contributed to the occurrence of NVC. The NVC sites were found to be located in the proximal segment in 42% of these cases (39/93) and in the distal segment in 45% (42/93). Nerve dislocation or distortion was observed in 32% (30/93).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Various 3D high resolution MRI methods combined with the image fusion technique could provide pathologic anatomic information for the diagnosis and treatment of TN.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Pathology
/
Physiology
/
Arteries
/
Trigeminal Nerve
/
Trigeminal Neuralgia
/
Vasoconstriction
/
Veins
/
Brain Stem
/
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
/
Cerebellum
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
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