血管压迫性三叉神经痛MR弥散张量成像研究

目的:比较血管压迫性三叉神经痛(TN)双侧三叉神经在MR弥散张量成像(DTI)上的差异。方法:回顾性分析16例经手术证实TN患者的DTI图像,其中男7例,女9例,年龄32~71岁。3D Space序列行三叉神经脑池段脑干薄层轴位T2WI扫描,单次激发平面回波序列DTI复制Space序列的扫描位置。测量症状侧及正常侧三叉神经的平均及最小FA值,并行配对t检验。结果:TN症状侧平均FA值与最小FA值分别为0.249±0.06和0.199±0.07,显著小于正常侧平均FA值与最小FA值(分别为0.283±0.07和0.262±0.07;t=-4.999和-8.336,P均<0.005)。结论:DTI能够量化评价血管压迫性TN三叉神经的异常变化,有助于诊断。     

3D-TOF-SPGR磁共振血管成像在三叉神经痛神经血管压迫诊断中的价值

目的 探讨3D-TOF-SPGR磁共振血管成像(MRA)在三叉神经痛(TN)神经血管压迫临床诊断中的应用价值.方法 三叉神经痛患侧组23例(23侧神经)、正常对照组31例(39侧神经),利用SE-T1WI、FSE-T2WI、MR三维时间飞跃稳态梯度回波序列(3D-TOF-SPGR)MRA图像及MPR斜矢状位、冠状位重组图像,盲法观察3个方位图像,以判定三叉神经与局部微小血管的关系.结果 三叉神经痛患侧组23侧神经,19侧表现为神经血管压迫阳性,占82.6%;正常对照组39侧神经,11侧表现为阳性,占28.2%,TN患者组与正常对照组χ2=17.15,P＜0.005,具有统计学差异.在MRA图像中,TN患者组阳性者微小血管与三叉神经的关系密切,有13侧表现为受压三叉神经不同程度弯曲、变形;正常对照组阳性者微小血管与三叉神经仅表现为横过、平行或密贴,相应三叉神经形态及信号均无明显异常表现.结论 3D-TOF-SPGR序列MRA对神经血管压迫三叉神经痛具有很高的临床诊断价值,并可为微血管减压术提供术前指导.     

3D-TSE序列在三叉神经痛病因诊断中的价值

目的　探讨MRI三维快速自旋回波 (3D TSE)序列在三叉神经痛 (TN)病因研究中的价值。资料与方法　应用 3D TSE序列 ,结合常规MRI序列 ,分析 5 0例TN患者和 5 0名正常对照者的MRI表现及手术结果。结果　 (1) 5 0名正常对照者 10 0侧脑池段三叉神经MRI检查中 ,11侧存在三叉神经血管接触。 5 0名TN患者疼痛侧有血管压迫或接触的为 32例 ,非疼痛侧 5 0侧三叉神经中 ,有血管接触的为 7例 ,经统计学分析 ,TN患者疼痛有无与是否存在血管压迫或接触有统计学意义 (P <0 .0 0 5 )。 (2 ) 5 0例TN患者疼痛侧 ,MRI诊断TN病因中血管压迫或接触占 6 4 % (32 / 5 0 ) ;肿瘤性病变占 16 % (8/ 5 0 ) ;其他占 2 0 % (10 / 5 0 )。 (3)根据手术结果 ,3D TSE序列对TN诊断的敏感性为 10 0 % ,特异性为 80 %。结论　三叉神经脑池段的血管压迫或接触是TN的主要病因 ,3D TSE成像能清晰显示三叉神经与邻近血管、肿瘤性病变或其他病变之间的关系 ,为临床确定治疗方案有重要的指导意义     

三叉神经MRTA成像在三叉神经痛MVD术前评估中的应用价值

目的探讨三叉神经磁共振断层血管成像(magnetic resonance tomographic angiography,MRTA)在三叉神经痛微血管减压(microvascular decompression,MVD)术前评估中的应用价值。方法笔者应用MRTA对三叉神经微血管减压(microvascular decompression,MVD)术前评估进行研究,对21例原发性三叉神经痛(idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia,ITN)患者于术前行MRTA检查评估责任血管,并与手术结果对照,为指导临床医生进一步诊治及随访提供依据。结果两位医师观察患侧与健侧MRTA神经-血管关系有较满意的一致程度(患侧Kappa值=0.86,健侧Kappa值=0.78),且两侧比较差异具有统计学意义(x~2=22.92,P0.05)。18例ITN患者MRTA图像测量患侧三叉神经脑池段长度为[(7.95±1.66)mm],宽度为[(6.11±1.49)mm],健侧三叉神经脑池段长度为[(9.48±1.70)mm],宽度为[(6.29±1.43)mm]。MRTA诊断ITN的特异度为100%,灵敏度为94.44%,诊断符合率为94.44%。结论 MRTA无副作用,能可靠地显示ITN神经血管的关系,对ITN病因诊断和术前评估提供有用的术前影像资料。     

3D-TOF磁共振血管成像诊断血管压迫性三叉神经痛的价值

目的　探讨增强薄层三维体积扫描时间飞跃法磁共振血管成像 ( 3D -TOFMRA)诊断血管压迫性三叉神经痛的价值。方法　回顾性分析 37例临床拟诊为血管压迫性三叉神经痛患者的常规颅脑MRI及增强薄层 3D -TOF磁共振血管成像资料。结果　增强薄层 3D -TOFMRA发现 37例中 2 4例共 2 7侧三叉神经存在血管压迫或接触 ,其中症状侧三叉神经有血管压迫或接触 2 4例 ,无症状侧三叉神经有血管压迫或接触 3例 ,本组病例统计学分析表明 ,三叉神经痛患者症状的出现与三叉神经存在血管压迫或接触有显著相关关系 (Ρ <0 .0 0 5 )。 13例为非血管压迫性三叉神经痛。压迫三叉神经的血管为小脑上动脉 (SCA) 14例 ,小脑前下动脉(AICA) 5例 ,起源不清的血管 3例 ,扭曲的椎动脉 1例 ,血管畸形 1例。结论　增强薄层 3D -TOFMRA可清楚显示三叉神经脑池段与毗邻血管的关系 ,明显优于常规颅脑MRI,是目前检测血管压迫性三叉神经痛最佳的影像学检查方法 ,对明确诊断和指导治疗三叉神经痛具有重大意义。     

三叉神经痛MRI形态学观察及测量

目的:对原发性三叉神经痛(TN)患者和正常体检者的三叉神经进行MRI观察和测量,寻找可能的形态学异常。方法:由两位不知本组临床资料的放射科医师对TN患者(n=29)和与之年龄、性别一致的正常体检者(n=30)的MRI图像进行回顾性分析,测量三叉神经根截面积、三叉神经孔的截面积和短径、岩尖处的转角和脑池段的长度。测量结果进行统计学分析。结果:两位测量者之间具有良好的一致性;TN患者的神经根和神经孔截面积、神经孔的上下径及症状侧岩尖处转角与正常对照组的差别有统计学意义;TN患者症状侧神经根截面积缩小。结论:定量MRI可提供TN患者三叉神经根萎缩的证据;除血管压迫外,其他因素(神经根粘连、神经孔狭窄、岩尖突起等)也可能造成对三叉神经根的慢性压迫而引起TN,MRI形态学测量有助于发现原发性TN的可能病因。     

运用3DT1 SPGR序列研究三叉神经与血管的关系

目的:研究MRI3DT1SPGR序列对三叉神经痛(TN)病因诊断的临床价值。材料和方法:常规MRI加3DT1SPGR序列行脑干薄层扫描60例TN患者,采用盲法确定三叉神经根部解剖改变,分别观察双侧三叉神经周围是否存在血管影,并测定三叉神经长轴与邻近血管的距离,两侧对照分析。结果:(1)3DT1SPGR法发现症状侧血管神经之间有切迹者17例,接触者24例,阳性率71%。非症状侧阳性率22%。有三叉神经痛症状的一侧血管接触、压迫神经的比率明显高于非症状侧;(2)MRI常规扫描发现有三叉神经症状的一侧血管压迫神经比率为42%,非症状侧为12%。结论:MRI加3DT1SPGR序列为目前TN病因诊断的较好影像检查方法,TN的主要病因为患侧三叉神经根部受血管压迫。     

低场强磁共振CBASS序列在三叉神经痛病因诊断中的应用价值

目的:探讨低场强MRI CBASS序列在三叉神经痛(TN)病因中的研究价值。方法:对50例TN患者依次采用CBASS序列,结合FE序列,FE3D-TOF序列进行检查,对CBASS序列成像MRI表现及手术结果作回顾性分析。结果:①50例TN患者中,肿瘤性病变7例,其它3例,排除上述继发性TN10例;40例原发性TN患者入选,疼痛侧MRICBASS序列发现有三叉神经血管压迫或接触29例(29/40),非疼痛侧有三叉神经血管接触9例(9/40),两组相比有显著性差异2=20.050,(P<0.0001);②50例患者均行手术治疗,CBASS序列对原发性TN诊断的敏感性为93.1%,特异性为81.8%,准确性90.01%,假阴性为18.21%,假阳性为6.9%。结论:三叉神经脑池段血管压迫或接触是TN的首要原因,CBASS序列成像能清晰显示三叉神经与邻近血管、肿瘤病变或其他病变之间的关系,对临床诊治具有重要指导意义。     

三维稳态构成干扰序列在血管压迫性三叉神经痛诊断中的应用

目的 :分析MRI三维稳态构成干扰序列(3D-CISS)对三叉神经脑池段的显示、走行及与周边血管关系的表现,探讨3D-CISS对血管压迫性三叉神经痛的诊断价值。方法 :回顾性分析29例经神经外科手术证实的血管压迫性三叉神经痛患者的MRI表现,观察三叉神经的形态、走行及其与血管关系。结果 :三叉神经在3D-CISS序列显示清晰,显示率为100%,29例均显示局部动脉接触或压迫三叉神经,且经手术证实;结合3D-TOF-MRA分析显示责任血管,27例为同侧小脑上动脉,1例为同侧椎动脉,1例为同侧基底动脉。结论:MRI 3D-CISS能清晰显示三叉神经脑池段形态、走行及其与周边血管的关系,结合3D-TOF-MRA有助于确定责任血管,对术前评估和指导治疗有重要意义。     

原发性三叉神经痛:三叉神经微观结构与神经脑桥夹角的相关性

【摘要】目的：探讨原发性三叉神经痛患者（PTN）三叉神经的微观结构改变与三叉神经-脑桥夹角之间的相关性。方法：将25例经微血管减压术（MVD）证实存在神经血管压迫（NVC）的单侧PTN患者和25例健康志愿者（对照组）纳入本研究，两组受试者均采用3D-FIESTA及DTI序列行MRI扫描，测量双侧三叉神经脑池段的长度、三叉神经-脑桥夹角、桥小脑角池横截面积以及NVC部位的扩散参数（FA、ADC）值，并分别对神经-脑桥夹角与扩散参数值及二者与视觉模拟评分（VAS）和病程等临床指标进行相关性分析。结果：PTN组患侧神经-脑桥夹角明显小于健侧和对照组［患侧：(39.11±5.76)°，健侧：(49.00±7.59)°，对照组：(45.20±5.76)°；F=15.26，P<0.001］；且当责任血管为小脑上动脉（SCA）时，患侧神经-脑桥夹角显著小于其它责任血管时的夹角［SCA：(36.69±4.90)°，非SCA：(43.42±4.65)°；U=156.5，P=0.002］。与健侧及对照组比较，患侧桥小脑角池的横截面积和脑池段神经长度的差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05），患侧三叉神经的FA值明显减小、ADC值明显增加（P均>0.05）。患侧神经-脑桥夹角与FA值呈正相关（r=0.56，P<0.01），与ADC值呈负相关（r=－0.62，P<0.01）；FA值与VAS评分呈负相关（r=－0.53，P<0.01）。结论：三叉神经与脑桥的夹角可作PTN的临床诊断指标之一，FA值亦可作为一种评估PTN患者临床症状严重程度的指标。     

Persistent trigeminal artery associated with trigeminal neuralgia: hypothesis of neurovascular compression

Introduction The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) associated with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods From January 1998 to January 2004, 288 MRI scans of patients examined for trigeminal deficits were retrospectively evaluated. MRI was performed at 1.5 T. Scan protocols included cerebral TSE T2-weighted imaging, contrast enhanced SE T1-weighted imaging and thin-section 3D T2-weighted imaging of the temporal bones, 3D TOF pre- and postcontrast MR angiography. TN was defined as episodes of intense stabbing, electric shock-like pain in areas of the face supplied by the trigeminal branches. Neurovascular compression (NVC) was assumed to be present if the patient showed clinical features of TN, if there was contact between an artery and the trigeminal nerve on the affected side, and if other pathology had been excluded. The prevalence and confidence intervals were calculated (95% CI of the prevalence was based on the exact binomial distribution). Results Of 288 patients, 136 matched the criteria for TN. In this series a PTA was detected in three patients, which in all patients was on the same side as the TN. The prevalence of a PTA in patients presenting with TN was 2.2% (CI 0.005–0.06). Conclusion Previous studies have shown PTA as an incidental finding in 0.1–0.6% of cerebral angiograms. The prevalence of a PTA in patients with TN was 2.2%. With respect to the clinical significance, a PTA has to be considered in TN and the diagnosis of a PTA can easily be made using MR imaging/angiography.     

Microstructural abnormalities in the trigeminal nerves of patients with trigeminal neuralgia revealed by multiple diffusion metrics

Objective

To investigate microstructural tissue changes of trigeminal nerve (TGN) in patients with unilateral trigeminal neuralgia (TN) by multiple diffusion metrics, and correlate the diffusion indexes with the clinical variables.

Methods

16 patients with TN and 6 healthy controls (HC) were recruited into our study. All participants were imaged with a 3.0 T system with three-dimension time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) DTI-sequence. We placed regions of interest over the root entry zone of the TGN and measured fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD). The mean values of FA, MD, AD and RD were compared between the affected and unaffected sides in the same patient, and to HC values. The correlation between the side-to-side diffusion metric difference and clinical variables (disease duration and visual analogy scale, VAS) was further explored.

Results

Compared with the unaffected side and HC, the affected side showed significantly decreased FA and increased RD; however, no significant changes of AD were found. A trend toward significantly increased MD was identified on the affected side comparing with the unaffected side. We also found the significant correlation between the FA reduction and VAS of pain (r = −0.55, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

DTI can quantitatively assess the microstructural abnormalities of the affected TGN in patients with TN. Our results suggest demyelination without significant axonal injury is the essential pathological basis of the affected TGN by multiple diffusion metrics. The correlation between FA reduction and VAS suggests FA as a potential objective MRI biomarker to correlate with clinical severity.     

Transoval trigeminal cisternography and glycerol injection in trigeminal neuralgia

In a series of 25 consecutive patients suffering from essential trigeminal neuralgia, transoval glycerol injection following H?kanson was performed in order to alleviate the pain attacks. This treatment proved to be successful in 76% of the patients. No major side-effects were reported. Authors stress the importance of a precise cisternography of Meckel's cave to ascertain the correct position of the needle, before injecting the glycerol. They discuss their mode of conducting the examination in using a conventional radiologic set-up. Transoval glycerol injection is a valuable interventional radiologic procedure and has to be taken into account as an alternative treatment of essential trigeminal neuralgia, especially when current therapeutic measures have failed.     

Bilateral persistent trigeminal arteries presenting with brain-stem infarction

Summary A 43-year-old male with a left hemiparesis due to brain-stem infarction associated with bilateral persistent trigeminal arteries is reported. The clinicopathological and radiographic significance of persistent carotid-basilar arterial anastomones in vertebrobasilar territory ischaemic attacks is also discussed.     

Persistent trigeminal artery

Summary The anatomical features of a left persistent trigeminal artery, found incidentally at autopsy, are reported. In spite of the close relationship to the Gasserian ganglion and to the cavernous sinus no mutual effect upon of from these structures can be shown. However, penetration of the anastomosis through the clivus under the left posterior clinoid process of the sella caused a conspicuous atrophy of that process.

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Eine persistierende Arteria trigemina. Anatomische Verhältnisse

Zusammenfassung Die pathologisch-anatomischen Verhältnisse bei einer linksseitigen persistierenden arteria trigemina primitiva werden dargestellt. Trotz enger Beziehung des Gefäßes zum Ganglion Gasseri oder zum Sinus cavernosus zeigten sich keine gegenseitig bedingten Veränderungen. Hingegen verursachte die Anastomose, welche den Clivus unterhalb des linken proc. clinoidens post. durchstößt, eine deutliche Atrophie des letzteren.

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Persistance d'une artère trigéminée. Contrôle anatomique

Résumé Les données autopsiques d'un cas d'artère trigéminée gauche sont rapportées. Malgré les relations intimes de l'artère avec le ganglion de Gasser et le sinus caverneux on n'a pas noté de modification de ces structures mains on observe une atrophie de l'apophyse clinoïde postérieure gauche due à la proximité de l'artère.

     

Plexiform trigeminal neurofibroma

Neurofibromas of the trigeminal nerve are uncommon tumours which usually present in patients in the third or fourth decade of life as a localised mass in the posterior or middle cranial fossa. A case is described of a plexiform neurofibroma of this nerve with unusual clinical and radiological features.