Mar, 2007
[Novel 3D MR angiographic findings of neurovascular compressive sites in patients with trigeminal neuralgia].
No shinkei geka. Neurological surgery
- ,
- ,
- ,
- ,
- ,
- Volume
- 35
- Number
- 3
- First page
- 259
- Last page
- 65
- Language
- Japanese
- Publishing type
- Research paper (scientific journal)
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.
- Link information
- ID information
-
- ISSN : 0301-2603
- Pubmed ID : 17352151