Abstract
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a disease of unclear pathogenesis. It has a low incidence and is not fatal, but it can cause afflicted patients’ depression or suicide. In the past, neurovascular compression was considered to be the main cause of TN, but recent studies have found that neurovascular contact is also common in asymptomatic patients and the asymptomatic side in symptomatic patients. This indicates that the neurovascular contact is not, or is only to a lesser extent, a factor in the development of TN. Thus, the study of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve is necessary to understand the etiology of TN. With the development of imaging technology and the emergence of various imaging modalities, it is possible to study the etiology of TN and the pathological changes of related structures by magnetic resonance neuroimaging. This article reviews the recent advances in magnetic resonance neuroimaging of the trigeminal nerve.
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Abbreviations
- TN:
-
trigeminal neuralgia
- TGN:
-
trigeminal nerve
- REZ:
-
root entry zone
- MRN:
-
magnetic resonance neuroimaging
- CN V:
-
fifth cranial nerve
- V1:
-
ophthalmic branch
- V2:
-
maxillary branch
- V3:
-
mandibular branch
- IAN:
-
inferior alveolar nerve
- LN:
-
lingual nerve
- MRI:
-
magnetic resonance imaging
- NVC:
-
neurovascular compression
- MS:
-
multiple sclerosis
- 3D-TOF-MRA:
-
three-dimensional time–of-flight magnetic resonance angiography
- CSF:
-
cerebrospinal fluid
- 3D FIESTA:
-
three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition
- SPGR:
-
spoiled gradient recalled echo
- STIR:
-
short tau inversion recovery
- DTI:
-
diffusion tensor imaging
- FA:
-
fractional anisotropy
- VAS:
-
visual analogue scale
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We thank LetPub (www.letpub.com) for its linguistic assistance during the preparation of this manuscript.
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Initial concepts and framework were developed by CZ, ChuanZ, and HFY. Anatomy and pathophysiology data were collected and collated by CZ, YHL, and MJZ. Imaging data was collected and collated by ChuanZ, XF, and RHX. The initial manuscript was prepared by CZ, ChuanZ, and YHL. XF, MJZ, RHX, and HFY helped with the revision and additional comments. The final manuscript was prepared by CZ and ChuanZ. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Chuan Zhang and Chen Zeng are co-first authors.
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Zeng, C., Zhang, C., Li, YH. et al. Recent Advances of Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Trigeminal Neuralgia. Curr Pain Headache Rep 25, 37 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-021-00957-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-021-00957-0