Magnetic resonance imaging based classification of anatomic relationship between the cochleovestibular nerve and anterior inferior cerebellar artery in patients with non-specific neuro-otologic symptoms |
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Authors: | Akif Sirikci Yildirim Bayazit Enver Ozer Ayhan Ozkur İbrahim Adaletli M. Ali Cüce Metin Bayram |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey;(2) Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey;(3) Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey |
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Abstract: | In this study, we aimed to assess anatomical relationship between the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and cochleovestibular nerve (CNV) in patients with non-specific cochleovestibular symptoms using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One-hundred and forty patients with non-specific neuro-otologic symptoms were assessed using cranial and temporal MRI. Classification was performed according to four different types of anatomical relationship observed between the AICA and CVN. In type 1 (point compression), the AICA compresses only a limited portion of the CVN. In type 2 (longitudinal compression), the AICA approaches the CVN as both traverse parallel to each other. In type 3 (loop compression), the vascular loop of the AICA encircles the CVN. In type 4 (indentation), the AICA compresses the CVN so as to make an indentation in the nerve. The anatomical relationship between the CVN and AICA was encountered in 19 out of 140 (13.6%) patients (20 ears). The VCC was unilateral in 18 patients (94.7%) and bilateral in one patient (5.3%). There was no other vascular structure causing VCC to the CVN except for vertebral artery that was seen in 2 out of 140 patients (1.4%). These were unilateral cases. There were tinnitus, vertigo or dizziness, hearing loss, and both hearing loss and vertigo in 5 (25%), 13 (65%), 1 (5%) and 1 (5%) ears of 20 patients, respectively. There was no relationship between the cochleovestibular symptoms and type of compression (p>0.05). Neurovascular relationship between the CVN and AICA can be imaged properly using MR and MR based classification may help reporting this relationship in a standard way. Although, MR images can show the anatomical relationship accurately, diagnosis of vascular conflict should not be based on imaging findings alone. |
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Keywords: | Neurovascular compression Cerebellopontine angle Anterior inferior cerebellar artery Vestibulocochlear nerve |
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