The role of MRI in diagnoses of trigeminal neuralgia and facial spasm

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI for neurovascular compression (NVC) in TN and FS. Methods 18 patients with TN and 11 patients with FS underwent SE T 1WI and T 2WI first, then 3D TOF SPGR sequences. After the two dimensional transaxial images were made, oblique sagittal and coronal planar reformation for trigeminal nerves were made. Surgical operations were performed in 8 patients. Results In the TN group, there was one tumor found in each of the 2 cases, NVC was found in 15 cases and neither tumor nor NVC was found in 1 case. In the FS group, NVC was found in 10 cases, but there was no definite cause in 1 case. MRI findings were consistent with the surgical operative findings completely except in one case. Conclusion It is considered to be of important value to use MRI to find out the causes of TN and FS, especially to utilize the 3D TOF SPGR sequence which may possess high sensitivity in determining NVC. This may be of help in selecting the proper method of treatment for the patients with TN or FS.