Loss of anisotropy in trigeminal neuralgia revealed by diffusion tensor imaging.
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.
Herweh
C
C
Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg Medical School, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. christian_herweh@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Kress
B
B
Rasche
D
D
Tronnier
V
V
Tröger
J
J
Sartor
K
K
Stippich
C
C
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