Characterization of neurovascular compression in facial neuralgia patients by 3D high-resolution MRI and image fusion technique.

Objective: To describe the anatomical characteristics and patterns of neurovascular compression (NVC) in patients suffering trigeminal neuralgia (TN) by 3D high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method and image fusion technique.

Methods: The anatomic structure of trigeminal nerve, brain stem and blood vessel was observed in 100 consecutive TN patients by 3D high resolution MRI (3D SPGR, contrast-enhanced T1 3D MP-RAGE and T2/T1 3D FIESTA). The 3D image sources were fused and visualized using 3D DOCTOR software.

Results: One or several NVC sites, which usually appeared 0-9.8 mm away from brain stem, were found on the symptomatic side in 93% of the TN cases. Superior cerebellar artery was involved in 76% (71/93) of these cases. The other vessels including antero-inferior cerebellar artery, vertebral artery, basilar artery and veins also contributed to the occurrence of NVC. The NVC sites were found to be located in the proximal segment in 42% of these cases (39/93) and in the distal segment in 45% (42/93). Nerve dislocation or distortion was observed in 32% (30/93).

Conclusions: Various 3D high resolution MRI methods combined with the image fusion technique could provide pathologic anatomic information for the diagnosis and treatment of TN.