[Novel 3D MR angiographic findings of neurovascular compressive sites in patients with trigeminal neuralgia].
Neurovascular compressive sites at the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve were investigated in 25 patients with trigeminal neuralgia by using the fine three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) angiogram, obtained by a 3D time-of-flight, spoiled gradient-recalled sequence. The characteristic 3D MR angiographic findings of the offending vessels were obtained at the neurovascular compressive sites 19/23 (83%), including intermittent MR signal intensity within the vessels in 14/23 (61%), and unclear margin of the vessels in 5/23 (22%). Those abnormal 3D MR angiographic findings were commonly observed at the site of neurovascular compression in conjunction with moderate degree (grade II) and severe degree (grade III) in 19/20 (95%) of the actual nerve compression by the offending vessels. Abnormal findings with 3D MR angiograms may provide flow-related information to suggest a certain neurovascular compression upon the trigeminal nerve by the offending vessels. Those novel 3D MR angiographic findings may be useful for the diagnosis and decision-making process to execute the microvascular decompression surgery in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.
Satoh
Toru
T
Department of Neurological Surgery, Ryofukai Satoh Neurosurgical Hospital, 5-23-23 Matsunaga, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan. ucsfbtrc@urban.ne.jp
Omi
Megumi
M
Ohsako
Chika
C
Nabeshima
Mutsue
M
Onoda
Keisuke
K
Date
Isao
I
D000368:Aged; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*