Abstract

Neurovascular compression syndromes are caused by arteries that directly contact the cisternal portion of a cranial nerve. All cases of neurovascular contact are not clinically symptomatic. The transition zone between the central and peripheral myelin is the most vulnerable region for symptomatic neurovascular compression syndromes. Determining the presence of vascular compression may help surgeons decide whether MVD is the most appropriate procedure for patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the standard preoperative imaging modality for these patients. Materials and Methods This Hospital-based prospective study consists of 59 patients with clinical suspicion of neurovascular conflict referred to the department of radiodiagnosis, Government General Hospital, Kurnool, over a period of 6months .All the 59 cases were imaged on a PHILIPS 1.5 tesla MRI scanner with routine sequences including MR axial T2, T1, DWI, GRE along with FIESTA and MR angiography . Results: Out of 59 patients studied, 29 patients did not have neurovascular contact. So, a total of 30 cases were selected for the study. Out of 30 cases,19(63.4%)cases were females, whereas 11 (36.6%)cases were males. Incidence in females (63.4%) was found to be more common than in males (36.6%). Incidence was more commonly seen in age group between 50-60 years followed by 40-50 years. Out of 30 cases , 23 were diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, 5 with hemifacial spasm and vestibular paroxysmia, rest 2 were diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Out of 30 cases 26 had contact of vessel with nerve and 4 cases showed displacement or atrophy of nerve. Most common vessel causing conflict was found to be ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery followed by the ipsilateral anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Conclusion: 3D steady state and angiographic MR sequences represent nowadays the most sensitive tools available to radiologists, allowing an optimal identification of the vascular compression of the cranial nerve’s REZ.

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