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The MRI volumetry of the posterior fossa and its substructures in trigeminal neuralgia: a validated study

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Abstract

Purpose

Our aim was to determine whether the anatomical configuration of the posterior fossa and its substructures might represent a predisposition factor for the occurrence of clinical neurovascular conflict in trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

Methods

We used MRI volumetry in 18 patients with TN and 15 controls. The volume of the pontomesencephalic cistern, Meckel’s cave and the trigeminal nerve on the clinical and non-affected sides was compared. The reliability has been assessed in all measurements.

Results

The posterior fossa volume was not different in the clinical and control groups; there was no difference between the affected and non-affected sides when measuring the pontomesencephalic cistern and Meckel’s cave volume either. The volume of the clinically affected trigeminal nerve was significantly reduced, but with a higher error of measurement.

Conclusions

We did not find any association between the clinical neurovascular conflict (NVC) and the size of the posterior fossa and its substructures. MRI volumetry may show the atrophy of the affected trigeminal nerve in clinical NVC.

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Acknowledgements

The project is supported by Grantová agentura České republiky 309/08/P223. Dr. Horinek holds a scientific European Federation of Neurological Societies fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Central Military Hospital Prague, U Vojenske nemocnice 1200, Praha 6, 160 00, Czech Republic

    D. Hořínek, V. Masopust, P. Kozler, J. Plas & V. Beneš

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Philipps University, Baldingerstrasse, 35033, Marburg, Germany

    D. Hořínek & C. Nimsky

  3. Institute of Pathological Physiology, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Plzenska 130, Praha 5, 158 00, Czech Republic

    D. Hořínek, V. Brezová, L. Martinkovič, J. Vrána & Y. Ghaly

  4. Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, Praha 5, 158 00, Czech Republic

    D. Krýsl & A. Varjassyová

  5. Department of Radiology, Central Military Hospital Prague, U Vojenske nemocnice 1200, Praha 6, 160 00, Czech Republic

    T. Belšan & J. Vrána

  6. Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, U nemocnice 2, Praha 1, 110 00, Czech Republic

    A. Varjassyová

Authors
  1. D. Hořínek
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  2. V. Brezová
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  3. C. Nimsky
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  4. T. Belšan
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  5. L. Martinkovič
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  6. V. Masopust
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  7. J. Vrána
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  8. P. Kozler
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  9. J. Plas
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  10. D. Krýsl
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  11. A. Varjassyová
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  12. Y. Ghaly
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  13. V. Beneš
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Hořínek.

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Hořínek, D., Brezová, V., Nimsky, C. et al. The MRI volumetry of the posterior fossa and its substructures in trigeminal neuralgia: a validated study. Acta Neurochir 151, 669–675 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-009-0283-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-009-0283-8

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