Diagnosis value of MR on neurovascular compression with original trigeminal neuralgia

Objective To analyze MR findings, and to detect the diagnostic value of neurovascular compression in patienst with original trigeminal neuralgia.Methods To analyze retrospectively the MR manifestation of 12 patients with trigeminal neuralgia;To analyze correlatively MR findings and operative results in trigeminal neuralgia associated to the relationship between trigeminus and surrounding vessels. Results In these 12 patients, there were 11 patients showed neurovascular compression, contact or uncertain contact, the percent is 91.7 % . These 12 patients were all operated, and all cases were verified as vascular compression or contact by the operation. The sensitivity of MR diagnosis with trigeminal neuralgia associated to neurovascular compression or contact are 91.7% . Conclusion MR could demonstrate clearly the relationship of the cisternal portion of the fifth cranial nerve to surrounding vascular structures, and had higher specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing neurovascular compression or contact, it played an important role in preoperated evaluation and cure.