Comparative study of MRI and operative results of neurovascular relationship in patients with trigeminal neuralgia

Objective To study the diagnostic value and reliability of MRI in demonstrating neurovascular relationship in patients with trigeminal neuralgia(TN).Methods Twenty-five volunteers and 25 patients with trigeminal neuralgia underwent 3-dimension fast imaging employing steady state acquisition(3 D-FIESTA) and 3-dimension time of flight-spoiled gradient echo(3D TOF-SPGR) with a 1.5T MR system.The MRI findings of each sequence were recorded,MR findings and operative results in 15 patients were compared.Results Neurovascular contact could be identified in 87.5%(21/24) of patients with TN and 24%(12/50) of volunteers.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P0.001).The sensitivit rates of 3D-FIESTA and 3D TOF-SPGR were 93%and 67%,repectively,and the precision rates were 67%and 60%,respectively. Conclusion MRI is a reliable diagnostic method for patients with TN.3D-FIESTA has higher specificity and precision in diagnosing neurovascular compression or contact than 3 D TOF-SPGR,and it should be the primary MRI sequence for patients with TN.