Comparative Study of Pre-and Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Angiography in the Patients Underwent Microvascular Decompression

Objective To investigate the changes of pre-and postoperative magnetic resonance angiography in patients underwent microvascular decompression,and to explore its clinical value.Methods The pre-and postoperative 3D-TOF-MRA in 12 cases were examined in 12 patients(8 with trigeminal neuralgia,3 with hemifacial spasm,and 1 with glossopharyngeal neuralgia) between February 2009 and December 2009 for,and the changes in the positions of offending vessels and the detachment of the vascular contact were evaluated.These findings were compared with the surgical findings and clinical outcomes.Results All cases had vascular compression or contact at preoperative 3D-TOF MRA.Operative findings showed that the offending vessel was petrosal vein as well as superior cerebellar artery in cases of trigeminal neuralgia.The offending vessels of the trigeminal neuralgia patients were superior cerebellar artery in 5 cases and anterior inferior cerebellar artery in 3.And which of the hemifacial spasm was anterior inferior cerebellar artery in 2 cases,and posterior inferior cerebellar artery in 1.The glossopharyngeal neuralgia patient was distorted vertebral artery impact the posterior inferior cerebellar artery to compress the rootlet of the glossopharyngeal nerve.All of these patients exhibited excellent improvement after the MVD.11 of all patients completed decompression of offending vessels at the root entry zone of the cranial never were observed at postoperative 3D-TOF-MRA.Conclusion 3D-TOF-MRA can demonstrate the relationship of the cranial nerve with its surrounding vasculature.Postoperative 3D-TOF-MRA is useful in providing the information to predict the clinical outcomes.