Gasserian ganglion: appearance on contrast-enhanced MR.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the appearance of the gasserian ganglion on contrast-enhanced MR images.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the MR images from 57 patients with suspected pituitary disease. These patients had undergone unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the sella, including evaluation of Meckel's cave. None of the patients had clinical signs or symptoms referable to the fifth cranial nerve or ganglion. Correlation was made with a previous study that compared gross anatomy with high-resolution CT scans of cadaveric specimens.


RESULTS
A discrete semilunar enhancing structure within the inferolateral aspect of Meckel's cave was identified in 100 of the 114 caves examined; the other 14 caves had a thickened area of enhancement that blended with the dura inferolaterally. A small semilunar structure within the inferolateral aspect of Meckel's cave was also identified on CT scans of the cadaveric specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
The gasserian ganglion enhances on MR images and should not be confused with a pathologic process.
Downs
D M
DM
Department of Radiology, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Damiano
T R
TR
Rubinstein
D
D
D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008536:Meglumine; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000473:pathology*
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA