Contrast-free visualization of distal trigeminal nerve segments using MR neurography.

Background And Purpose: The 3-dimensional cranial nerve imaging (CRANI) sequence may assist visualization of anatomical details of extraforaminal cranial nerves and aid in clinical diagnosis and preoperative planning. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using a combined CRANI and magnetization-prepared rapid-acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) imaging protocol to comprehensively identify trigeminal nerve projections.

Method: We evaluated the detection of distal regions of three branches of the ophthalmic nerve (V1), three branches of the maxillary nerve (V2), and five branches of the mandibular nerve (V3) in seven healthy adult subjects, with and without contrast injection.