MR imaging of the trigeminal ganglion, nerve, and the perineural vascular plexus: normal appearance and variants with correlation to cadaver specimens.

摘要: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging is the method of choice for evaluating trigeminal nerve. Detection abnormalities such as perineural tumor spread requires detailed knowledge normal appearance nerve and surrounding structures. The purpose this study was to clarify variations ganglion, maxillary (V2), mandibular (V3) with their corresponding vascular plexus. METHODS: images obtained in 32 patients without symptoms referable were retrospectively reviewed. ganglion Meckel’s cave, V2 within foramen rotundum, V3 at level ovale assessed visualization enhancement. configuration plexus recorded. Correlation cadaver specimens made. RESULTS: observed enhance 3–4% unilaterally. well visualized 93% time. 91% time, that 97% instances. CONCLUSION: This characterizes its proximal branches. V2, and, are almost always reliably seen on thin-section studies skull base. Enhancement perivascular routinely seen; however, enhancement or alone only occasion supported by avascular these anatomic structures specimens.