Correlative study of 3D-TOF-MRA and operative results in trigeminal neuralgia associated with neurovascular compression

Objective To evaluate MRI findings and diagnostic value of 3D time-of-flight MRA on trigeminal neuralgia. Methods MR manifestations and operative results of 26 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were retrospectively reviewed. Results Sixteen offending vessels had artery-nerve contact, and 2 had artery-nerve compression in 18 vessels of 14 patients whose trigeminal nerves were displayed clearly. Twelve patients whose trigeminal nerves were displayed unclearly showed eighteen offending vessels. Thirty-eight arteries and ten veins were verified as offending vessels by the operation. The positive rate of offending vessels of 3D-TOF-MRA was 95% and 0 for artery and vein,respectively, and the average rate was 75%. Conclusion 3D-TOF-MRA has high positive rate in diagnosing artery compression or contact, and it plays an important role in preoperative evaluation and treatment.