Williams Lorna Sohn, Schmalfuss Ilona M, Sistrom Christopher L, Inoue Takuya, Tanaka Ryusui, Seoane Eduardo R, Mancuso Anthony A
Department of Radiology, JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, FL, USA.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2003 Aug;24(7):1317-23.
MR imaging is the method of choice for evaluating the trigeminal nerve. Detection of abnormalities such as perineural tumor spread requires detailed knowledge of the normal MR appearance of the trigeminal nerve and surrounding structures. The purpose of this study was to clarify the normal MR appearance and variations of the trigeminal ganglion, maxillary nerve (V2), and mandibular nerve (V3) with their corresponding perineural vascular plexus.
S: MR images obtained in 32 patients without symptoms referable to the trigeminal nerve were retrospectively reviewed. The trigeminal ganglion in Meckel's cave, V2 within the foramen rotundum, and V3 at the level of foramen ovale were assessed for visualization and enhancement. The configuration of the perineural vascular plexus was recorded. Correlation to cadaver specimens was made.
The trigeminal ganglion and V3 were observed to enhance in 3-4% of patients unilaterally. V2 and V3 were well visualized 93% of the time. The perineural vascular plexus of V2 was observed 91% of the time, and that of V3 in 97% of instances.
This study characterizes the normal MR appearance of the trigeminal ganglion and its proximal branches. The trigeminal ganglion, V2, and, V3 are almost always reliably seen on thin-section MR studies of the skull base. Enhancement of the perivascular plexus is routinely seen; however, enhancement of the trigeminal ganglion, V2, or V3 alone is seen only on occasion as supported by the avascular appearance of these anatomic structures in cadaver specimens.
磁共振成像（MR）是评估三叉神经的首选方法。检测诸如神经周围肿瘤扩散等异常情况需要详细了解三叉神经及其周围结构的正常MR表现。本研究的目的是阐明三叉神经节、上颌神经（V2）和下颌神经（V3）及其相应的神经周围血管丛的正常MR表现和变异情况。
回顾性分析32例无三叉神经相关症状患者的MR图像。评估Meckel腔中的三叉神经节、圆孔内的V2以及卵圆孔水平的V3的显示情况和强化情况。记录神经周围血管丛的形态，并与尸体标本进行对照。
3 - 4%的患者单侧三叉神经节和V3有强化表现。V2和V3在93%的情况下显示良好。V2的神经周围血管丛在91%的情况下可观察到，V3的神经周围血管丛在97%的情况下可观察到。
本研究描述了三叉神经节及其近端分支的正常MR表现。在颅底的薄层MR研究中，三叉神经节、V2和V3几乎总能可靠显示。血管周围丛的强化很常见；然而，如尸体标本中这些解剖结构无血管的表现所示，仅偶尔可见三叉神经节、V2或V3单独强化。
