3D-TOF-MRA 在原发性三叉神经痛微血管减压术中的应用

目的：探讨磁共振成像技术在原发性三叉神经痛微血管减压术前诊断中的应用价值。方法38例原发性三叉神经痛患者经过三维时间飞跃法磁共振血管成像序列（3D-TOF-MRA）检查。结果38例患者中术前序列图像上显示血管神经压迫症状侧阳性率89．5％（34／38）,非症状侧阳性率15．8％（6／38）,两侧阳性率差异有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）;手术中见周围血管压迫神经者36例（94．7％）,未压迫神经者2例（5．3％）,3D-TOF-MRA 诊断符合率97．1％（33／34）,术后症状消失或缓解37例（97．4％）。结论3D-TOF-MRA 可清楚地显示三叉神经与责任血管的关系,在原发性三叉神经痛微血管减压术术前诊断及术中显微定位中具有较高的临床应用价值。     

探讨3D-FIESTA和3D-TOF在三叉神经痛微血管减压术中的指导意义及临床价值

目的探讨三维稳态进动快速成像序列(3D-FIESTA)和三维时间飞跃法(3D-TOF)在三叉神经痛微血管减压术中的指导意义及临床价值。方法回顾性分析86例三叉神经痛微血管减压术患者术前MRI及术中影像,分析3D-FIESTA和3D-TOF-MRA序列在三叉神经痛患者与责任血管的关系以及其临床意义。结果本组86例患者证实83例(96.5%)存在血管神经关系密切,以术中所见影像为金标准。术前均采用3D-FIESTA和3D-TOF-MRA序列。本组78例患者至目前无明显症状,2例再次手术,1例术后面部麻木无疼痛,1例术后出现颅内感染症状经抗感染治疗后痊愈,2例面部间断性轻度疼痛且拒绝口服药物(患者自述不影响正常生活),未给予特殊处理,1例遗漏轻度面瘫。1例失访。结论术前3D-FIESTA和3D-TOF-MRA检查能够清晰识别三叉神经痛患者神经血管的关系,对指导微血管减压术以及预测手术难易度有重要的临床意义。     

微血管减压术治疗三叉神经痛

目的 探讨微血管减压术治疗原发性三叉神经痛的安全有效性。方法 回顾分析微血管减压术治疗13例原发性单侧三叉神经痛的临床资料。术前采用SE序列及三维稳态旋进快速成像(3-Dfast inflow with steady—state precession)序列进行MR扫描，手术采用乙状窦后入路，分离血管神经后用人造血管补片隔离。结果 术中见所有三叉神经均受到血管压迫，11例为小脑上动脉压迫，1例为基底动脉和小脑上动脉压迫，1例为静脉压迫。术后疼痛完全消失，无手术死亡及永久性并发症。随访11例，时间6月～24月，平均13月，无疼痛复发。结论 微血管减压术治疗原发性三叉神经痛是安全有效的。     

iPlan Stereotaxy软件在原发性三叉神经痛显微血管减压术前评估中的应用

目的探讨具有多模态影像融合三维重建功能的iPlan Stereotaxy软件在原发性三叉神经痛(PTN)显微血管减压(MVD)术前评估中的准确性。方法分析从2021年5月至2022年3月在济宁市第一人民医院行MVD治疗的PTN患者共54例, 所有患者术前均完善颅脑三维可变翻转角快速自旋回波和三维时间飞跃磁共振血管成像序列扫描, 将扫描数据导入iPlan Stereotaxy软件进行影像配准融合并重建出患者的血管、三叉神经和脑干三维立体影像, 根据重建的三维立体影像, 对责任血管类型和神经血管关系进行术前评估。最后, 以术中对责任血管类型和神经血管关系的探查结果为金标准, 采用Kappa检验判断术前评估结果与术中探查结果的一致性。结果 iPlan Stereotaxy软件重建的三维立体影像在术前评估责任血管类别以及责任血管与三叉神经的接触位置、接触方向和接触程度方面, 与术中探查结果比较具有高度的一致性, Kappa值分别是0.923、0.878、0.946和0.841, P均<0.01。结论术前应用iPlan Stereotaxy软件进行MVD术前评估的结果与术中探查结果高度一致...     

显微血管减压治疗椎基底动脉相关性三叉神经痛

目的探讨原发性三叉神经痛显微血管减压(microvascular decompression,MVD)术中对以椎基底动脉为责任血管或主要责任血管的处理方法。方法回顾性分析2008年10月~2016年6月我院28例以椎基底动脉为责任血管或主要责任血管的原发性三叉神经痛患者行MVD的临床资料。行MVD 25例,MVD+感觉根部分离断3例。结果 28例术后疼痛均立即消失。3例行MVD+感觉根部分离断者术侧面部麻木。随访3~24个月,平均18.6月,无复发。结论对于以椎基底动脉为责任血管或主要责任血管的原发性三叉神经痛,MVD术中充分神经减压并恢复神经的自然走行是术后疗效的保证,对于张力大、无法一次性推移的血管,可以采用多点减压的方法完成。     

显微血管减压联合三叉神经感觉根定向毁损治疗原发性三叉神经痛

目的探讨显微血管减压联合三叉神经感觉根定向毁损治疗原发性三叉神经痛的临床效果。方法对56例原发性三叉神经痛患者行显微血管减压术联合三叉神经感觉根定向毁损术治疗。结果 53例术中发现三叉神经根部有血管压迫,3例无明确责任血管。56例患者术后疼痛即刻消失,并出现轻度至中度的面部感觉迟钝和麻木感。随访0.5~3年,无疼痛复发病例,48例仍有轻度的面部麻木,8例无面部麻木。结论显微血管减压术联合三叉神经感觉根定向毁损术是安全有效,如果在术中能确定有责任血管压迫三叉神经根时,在行减压术的同时对病变的三叉神经感觉根行定向毁损术,是降低复发率和取得长期满意效果的重要因素。     

显微血管减压治疗原发性三叉神经痛126例临床分析

目的　探讨微血管减压术治疗三叉神经痛的手术方法及疗效。　方法　原发性三叉神经痛 12 6例 ,经乙状窦后入路行显微外科微血管减压术。术中发现 12 2例血管压迫神经 ,用涤纶棉垫隔分离减压。　结果　随访 113例 ,随访时间 (1- 9)年 ,术后疼痛消失、减轻 110例 ,总有效率达 97 3% (110 /113)。　结论　显微血管减压术是治疗三叉神经较为理想的方法 ,手术创伤小 ,并发症少 ,疗效好。     

3D-TOF-MRI诊断血管原性三叉神经痛:手术对照分析

目的 分析三叉神经周围血管MR表现与三叉神经痛的关系,并与手术结果 进行对照,以评价MRI在显示血管性三叉神经痛致病原因中的价值.方法 回顾性分析2005年4月至2011年12月,97例本院手术治疗的三叉神经痛患者的三维时间飞跃法磁共振成像(3D-TOF-MRI)资料.结果 97例手术,结果 三叉神经被血管压迫推移14例,明显接触14例,可疑接触58例,无明确接触11例.3D-TOF-MRI显示三叉神经被血管压迫推移的13例,明显接触13例,可疑接触61例,无接触10例.结论 3D-TOF-MRI显示三叉神经与周围血管的关系和手术结果 符合率高,是目前检测偏侧三叉神经痛病因的最佳影像学检查方法,可作为查找三叉神经痛致病原因的手段.     

脑神经血管压迫综合征的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨脑神经血管压迫综合征的术前病因诊断、手术疗效评估及术中处理要点。方法 对连续收治的45例非脑内占位引起的脑神经血管压迫综合征病例进行回顾性分析，术前采用三维稳态毁损梯度回返采集序列（3D-SPGR）序列扫描确立病因，总结脑神经血管压迫综合征的诊断依据、影像学特点、治疗方法和疗效评估。结果 45例均行改良微血管减压术（MVD），其中30例术前行3D-SPGR，显示病变侧神经与血管有接触关系25例，阳性率为83．3％。术前3D-SPGR阳性（25例）、术中处理责任血管后的手术有效率达100％，45例总有效率为86．7％。结论 3D-SPGR对脑神经血管压迫综合征患者的术前病因诊断及手术适应证选择有很大的指导作用，改良显微血管减压手术对3D—SPGR阳性的病例可以起到很好的治疗效果。     

微血管减压术治疗颅神经功能亢进性疾患

目的 评价微血管减压术(mierovaseular decompression,MVD)治疗颅神经功能亢进性疾患的疗效.方法 2002年10月-2007年1月,采用MVD治疗106例颅神经功能亢进性疾患.男47例,女59例;年龄42～85岁,平均62岁.三叉神经痛56例,面肌痉挛33例,痉挛性斜颈17例.MRI检查血管压迫神经根明显者60例(56.6%),可疑者33例(31.1%),无压迫者13例(12.3%).病程2～300个月,中位病程54个月.术前典型表现为相应支配区的神经激惹症状.结果 术中发现三叉神经痛患者最常见责任血管为小脑上动脉,共25例(44.6%):面肌痉挛患者为小脑前下动脉,共11例(33.3%):痉挛性斜颈患者为椎基底动脉共14例(82.4%).术后31例发生面瘫、听力下降、面部麻木、眩晕、颈肩疼痛、转颈无力及皮下积液(29.2%),均经对症处理后愈合或改善.患者均获随访,随访时间6～42个月.根据Kobata等疗效评定标准,三叉神经痛者治愈47例(83.9%),面肌瘁挛治愈27例(81.8%),痉挛性斜颈治愈7例(41.2%),总有效率为90.6%;5例(4.7%)无效者,2例再次手术治愈,余放弃治疗.5例(4.7%)于术后3～8个月复发,2例再次手术治愈,1例行伽玛刀治疗好转,余放弃治疗.结论 MVD治疗因血管压迫相关颅神经导致的疾病有较好疗效.完备的术前评估、娴熟的显微手术技巧和术中电生理监护是提高疗效和减少并发症的关键.     

Preoperative assessment of trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm using constructive interference in steady state-three-dimensional Fourier transformation magnetic resonance imaging

Results of microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) may be improved by accurate preoperative assessment of neurovascular relationships at the root entry/exit zone (REZ). Constructive interference in steady state (CISS)-three-dimensional Fourier transformation (3DFT) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was evaluated for visualizing the neurovascular relationships at the REZ. Fourteen patients with TN and eight patients with HFS underwent MR imaging using CISS-3DFT and 3D fast inflow with steady-state precession (FISP) sequences. Axial images of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) obtained by the two sequences were reviewed to assess the neurovascular relationships at the REZ of the trigeminal and facial nerves. Eleven patients subsequently underwent MVD. Preoperative MR imaging findings were related to surgical observations and results. CISS MR imaging provided excellent contrast between the cranial nerves, small vessels, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the CPA. CISS was significantly better than FISP for delineating anatomic detail in the CPA (trigeminal and facial nerves, petrosal vein) and abnormal neurovascular relationships responsible for TN and HFS (vascular contact and deformity at the REZ). Preoperative CISS MR imaging demonstrated precisely the neurovascular relationships at the REZ and identified the offending artery in all seven patients with TN undergoing MVD. CISS MR imaging has high resolution and excellent contrast between cranial nerves, small vessels, and CSF, so can precisely and accurately delineate normal and abnormal neurovascular relationships at the REZ in the CPA, and is a valuable preoperative examination for MVD.     

Assessment of neurovascular compression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia with a boundary fusion three-dimensional magnetic resonance cisternogram/angiogram

Precise assessment of the complex nerve-vessel relationship at the root entry zone (REZ) the trigeminal nerve is useful for the planning of the microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. We have applied a boundary imaging of fusion three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) cisternogram/angiogram. The boundary imaging allows virtual assessment of the spatial relationship of the neurovascular compression at the REZ of the trigeminal nerve. The boundary images depicted complex anatomical relationship of the offending vessels to the trigeminal nerve REZ. The presence of offending vessels, compressive site, and degree of neurovascular compression were assessed from various viewpoints in thl cistern and virtually through the brainstem and trigeminal nerve per se. The 3D visualization of the nerve-vessel relationship with fusion images was consistent with the intraoperative findings. The boundary fusion 3D MR cisternogram/angiogram may prove a useful adjunct for the diag nosis and decision-making process to execute the MVD in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.     

Microvascular decompression of the root emerging zone for hemifacial spasm: evaluation by fusion magnetic resonance imaging and technical considerations

Object

The root exit zone (RExZ) of the facial nerve has been considered to be the target in microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm. However, more proximal segments with oligodendrocyte-derived myelin, where the facial nerve root emerges at the pontomedullary sulcus and adheres to the brainstem surface (root emerging zone [REmZ]), may also be susceptible to neurovascular compression. This study evaluated the predictive value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detecting and assessing the features of vascular compression, especially in the pontomedullary sulcus, and describes the technical considerations of MVD procedures for the more proximal segments of the facial nerve.

Methods

Twenty patients treated with MVD underwent three-dimensional constructive interference in steady-state MR imaging and three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography. Their fusion images were used to evaluate the anatomical neurovascular relationships and intraoperative findings were analyzed.

Results

Most offending arteries at the REmZ and the RExZ of the facial nerve were correctly identified by fusion MR imaging. During surgery, neurovascular contacts were identified at one or more segments of the facial nerve in all patients. The REmZ of the facial nerve was affected in 55 % of the patients. The most common offending vessel at the REmZ was the posterior inferior cerebellar artery rather than the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. The key procedure to explore the deep-seated REmZ in the pontomedullary sulcus was full dissection of the lower cranial nerves to the brainstem origin.

Conclusions

Our definition more correctly describes the specific anatomical relationship of the facial nerve origin from the brainstem and the clinically relevant target for MVD surgery. Fusion MR imaging is very useful to identify neurovascular contacts at both the RExZ and the REmZ of the facial nerve.     

Novel 3D MR angiographic findings of neurovascular compressive sites in patients with trigeminal neuralgia

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.     

Microvascular decompression in the surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia

The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying trigeminal neuralgia are not clearly understood and several therapeutic modalities have been advocated. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a widely used surgical approach for the decompression of the affected root entry zone (REZ) of the fifth cranial nerve. In this paper, we present our experience based on 32 patients with trigeminal neuralgia who were treated with MVD, and discuss the role of this procedure in the surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia.All patients had typical TN pain and had had previous medical management which was unsuccessful. Fourteen patients (44%) had been previously treated with other surgical procedures and had persisting pain at the time of admission. Preoperatively, computerized tomography was obtained in all patients; twelve patients (37.5%) were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. These neuroradiological studies revealed an asymmetrical vascular structure at the involved REZ in nine patients (28%). All patients underwent MVD, and a vascular loop causing compression on the REZ of the fifth cranial nerve was demonstrated in each case. No mortality was observed, and the only permanent morbidity was cerebellar infarction in one patient (3%). Symptorns disappeared in all patients in the early postoperative period, and only three recurrences (12%) were observed within the follow-up period (mean: 26 months).     

Is preoperative high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging accurate in predicting neurovascular compression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia?

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) using three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (3D-FIESTA) and double-dose contrast-enhanced three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo (3D-FSPGR) sequences is considered to be a useful tool in detecting neurovascular compression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the accuracy and preoperative diagnostic value of these high-resolution imaging techniques in patients with trigeminal neuralgia, in a single-blind study. The preoperative MRI images of 21 consecutive patients were matched to one neuroradiologist, who was blind as to which side exhibited the symptoms. The images and post-processing multiplanar reconstructions were compared with the video-documented operative observations. HR-MRI using only 3D-FSPGR sequences demonstrated neurovascular compression in accordance with the intraoperative finding in 11 patients (52.4%). In the subgroup where, additionally, 3D-FIESTA sequences were available, neurovascular compression was in accordance with the intraoperative finding in 71.4% (n = 7). High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging using double-dose contrast-enhanced 3D-FSPGR and 3D-FIESTA sequences is currently not sufficient enough to make an accurate prediction of neurovascular compression in a single-blind setting. These 3D imaging techniques currently provide only limited information, and one should consider their use carefully when identifying patients with trigeminal neuralgia from operation until image quality is improved by superior image resolution that can accurately discriminate vessels surrounding the trigeminal root entry zone.     

Demonstration of neurovascular compression in trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm with magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with surgical findings in 60 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND: Until recently, it has been impossible to demonstrate vascular compression at the root entry or exit zone (REZ) of the trigeminal nerve and facial nerve in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) preoperatively, although surgical findings have revealed apparent neurovascular compression and its correction has resulted in a good outcome in most cases. Revealing the anatomic correlation between nerves and vessels at the REZ preoperatively would be useful to predict operative findings. METHODS: To assess whether the vascular contact of the nerve at the REZ could be demonstrated preoperatively, high-resolution magnetic resonance tomographic angiography (MRTA) was performed in 21 patients with TN and 39 with HFS. Neuroradiological findings were compared with the operative findings in all patients. Contralateral asymptomatic nerves were evaluated as a control. RESULTS: MRTA correctly identified offending vessels in 14 (67%) of the 21 TN and 34 (87%) of the 39 HFS patients. Failure to identify neurovascular contact was noted in the cases with compression by veins or small arteries, thickened arachnoid, or distal compression. Neurovascular contact was also observed in 15% of the asymptomatic nerves. The deformity of the nerve seemed to be a more important factor for determining operative indication. CONCLUSIONS: MRTA could demonstrate offending vessels in TN and HFS at a high rate and was useful to predict operative findings. MRTA gave supportive evidence of surgical indications in patients with TN and HFS, although attention should be paid to the fact that MRTA did not necessarily detect all of the offending vessels.     

Utility of magnetic resonance cisternography using three-dimensional fast asymmetric spin-echo sequences with multiplanar reconstruction: the evaluation of sites of neurovascular compression of the trigeminal nerve.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance (MR) cisternography using 3-dimensional (3D) fast asymmetric spin-echo (FASE) sequences with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) for detection of the sites of neurovascular compression (NVC) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. STUDY DESIGN: Both MR cisternography with 3D-FASE sequences and MR angiography (MRA) were performed on 150 patients with clinical signs and symptoms that suggested trigeminal neuralgia. Results from the original MR cisternography with 3D-FASE sequences, the original MRA, and 4 reformatted images were used for interpretation. Images with inversion between black and white were used from the MR cisternography with 3D-FASE sequences to evaluate NVC. A diagnosis of NVC was made from the presence of vascular contact with the trigeminal nerve at the root entry zone (REZ) and the nature of the involved vessels. For the patients with NVC detectable on 3D-FASE or MRA images, the relationship between the clinically manifested regions and the NVC sites was also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 150 patients evaluated, 89 were deemed to have NVC. Of these 89 patients, 3 underwent surgery that identified the artery that was involved with the trigeminal nerve. The correlation between the clinically manifested regions and the NVC sites was significantly detectable using both 3D-FASE images and MRA in 89 patients with detectable NVC. The correlation coefficient using 3D-FASE imaging was a little higher than that using MRA. Of the 61 patients deemed not to have NVC, 6 were found to have brain tumors that invaded the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve. However, the remaining 55 patients had no identifiable cause for trigeminal neuralgia. NVC was found in the asymptomatic side in 27 (18%) of the 150 patients with trigeminal neuralgia using MR cisternography with 3D-FASE sequences. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of MR cisternography using 3D-FASE sequences with MPR is more accurate and useful than MRA for detection of the site of NVC in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Patients with trigeminal neuralgia should be further examined using MR imaging to rule out a brain tumor. Radiologists should understand that a few subjects with no symptoms could show NVC with MR cisternography.     

Role of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging after microvascular decompression of the facial nerve for the treatment of hemifacial spasm

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the role of postoperative three-dimensional short-range magnetic resonance angiography in the prediction of clinical outcomes after microvascular decompression (MVD) for the treatment of hemifacial spasm. METHODS: We examined pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained between March 1999 and May 2000 for 122 patients with hemifacial spasm, to evaluate the degree of detachment of the vascular contact and changes in the positions of offending vessels. The degree of vascular decompression of the facial nerve root was classified into three groups, i.e., contact, partial decompression, or complete decompression. Contact was defined as unresolved compression, as indicated by postoperative three-dimensional short-range magnetic resonance angiography. Partial decompression was defined as incompletely resolved compression; vascular indentation of the facial nerve was improved, but contact with the facial nerve remained. Complete decompression was defined as completely resolved compression. These findings were compared with the surgical findings and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of 122 patients with MVD, complete decompression of offending vessels at the root entry zone of the facial nerve was observed for 106 patients (86.9%), partial decompression was observed for 10 patients (8.2%), and contact with offending vessels was observed for 6 patients (4.9%) by using postoperative three-dimensional short-range magnetic resonance angiography. Our study demonstrated that the types of offending vessels affected neither the degree of decompression of the root entry zone of the facial nerve nor surgical outcomes (P > 0.05). Also, there was no significant relationship between the degree of decompression and improvement of symptoms (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between the degree of decompression and the timing of symptomatic improvement (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MVD of the facial nerve alone may not be sufficient to resolve symptoms for all patients with hemifacial spasm. Therefore, unknown factors in addition to vascular compression may cause symptoms in certain cases, and it may be necessary to remove those factors, simultaneously with MVD, to obtain symptom resolution.     

Some patients with multiple sclerosis have neurovascular compression causing their trigeminal neuralgia and can be treated effectively with MVD: report of five cases

The role of trigeminal ganglion percutaneous injection and radio-frequency lesioning procedures for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is well established. There is general acceptance that microvascular decompression (MVD) cannot be an appropriate treatment due to the view that the underlying aetiology is a demyelinating plaque affecting the root entry zone of the trigeminal pathway. Recently, MR-imaging has been used in the preoperative investigation of this group of patients demonstrating that neurovascular compression can occasionally be the responsible mechanism and that MVD can be the treatment of choice. We present five cases with MS and TGN. All the patients had failed to respond to medical treatment or percutaneous procedures. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated evidence of neurovascular compression in four cases. All the patients underwent MVD. Postoperatively four of the five patients made an uncomplicated recovery, were pain-free and fully satisfied with the result (mean follow-up 38.75 months; range 8-59 months). One patient developed recurrent pain 1 week following surgery and went on to have a total sensory rhizotomy. TGN in MS can be caused by neurovascular compression, which may be identified on MR-imaging. MVD has offered satisfactory short-term outcome for at least 2 years and does not inflict sensory loss. Longer follow-up will determine whether the outcome in MS patients will be as successful as in the TGN patients who do not suffer from MS.