MRI Findings in Patients with Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia – A Retrospective Study
Journal Title: International Journal of Contemporary Medicine surgery and Radiology - Year 2018, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) is an intense facial pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. The common reason for TGN is the compression of the cisternal division of the trigeminal nerve by a vessel, commonly by an artery. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays an important and confirmatory role in demonstrating neuro vascular conflict which is the commonest causative factor for TGN. This study was conducted to evaluate the cases of facial pain in the distribution of trigeminal nerve by MRI to assess the pathology behind and to link the clinical data with imaging findings. Material and methods: 47 patients with trigeminal pain with or without associated neurologic symptoms were included in this study. MRI of the brain, dedicated trigeminal nerve protocol (SPACE) was conducted with contrast injection in the selected cases according to the findings in the conventional scan. Causative assessment of TGN was conducted. Results: Among 34 patients, MR could depict the etiology of trigeminal pain and 13 patients had idiopathic type TGN. In 27 patients, trigeminal nerves were seen in close proximity to vascular loops. In 16 patients the cisternal portion or root entry zones of nerves were significantly compressed due to vascular loops. In the majority of cases, the culprit vessel was a superior cerebellar artery. One patient had infarct involving the brain stem, one patient cavernoma involving pons and another one patient had features of gliosis in the region of the trigeminal nucleus in the brain stem. Extra-axial mass lesions compressing the trigeminal nerve were detected in four patients. Conclusion: MRI can yield high accuracy in the evaluation and appropriate treatment of patients with TGN.
Authors and Affiliations
Shameem Ahamed M, Rejeesh Saseendran, Mohanan K, Lisna Hameed PK, Joy P Verghese
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP424467
- DOI 10.21276/ijcmsr.2018.3.2.25
- Views 121
- Downloads 0
Assessment of Type of Mucosal Response in Gallstone Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective Study
Introduction: Gallstones are becoming increasingly common; they are seen in all age groups, but the incidence increases with age. Gallstone disease produces diverse histopathological changes in gallbladder mucosa-namely,...
Role of Computed Tomography in the Management of Acute Pyelonephritis
Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is most common urinary tract infection, accounts for high morbidity and health care cost. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) in the...
Multi Detector Computed Tomography Evaluation of Neck Masses in Adults
Introduction: Neck imaging has always been a diagnostic challenge. Multi-Detector row Computed Tomography is an important imaging modality for characterization and presurgical evaluation of neck masses. The imaging featu...
Analysis of Most Prevalent Clinical Features Associated with Posterior Fossa Tumors
Introduction: Tumors of the brain are regarded as one of the most devastating group of neurological diseases which are associated with significant neurological morbidity, they lead to progressive physical, cognitive and...
Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis- a Case of Double Trouble
Introduction: Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the fibrous or bony fusion of the articular components of the joint. The condition presents with limited mandibular opening, facial deformity and difficulty...