title: Loss of anisotropy in trigeminal neuralgia revealed by diffusion tensor imaging.
abstract: We studied the trigeminal nerve in seven healthy volunteers and six patients with trigeminal neuralgia using the diffusion tensor imaging derived parameter fractional anisotropy (FA). While controls did not show a difference between both sides, there was a reduction of FA in the affected nerve in three of six patients with accompanying nerve-vessel conflict and atrophy. Reversibility of abnormally low FA values was demonstrated in one patient successfully treated with microvascular decompression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg Medical School, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. christian_herweh@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herweh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kress
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rasche
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tronnier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tröger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sartor
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stippich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016880:Anisotropy; D001931:Brain Mapping; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery