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Magnetic resonance imaging criteria in vascular compression syndrome

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology volume 29, pages 10–15 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this work is to show the imaging criteria of the offending vessel in neurovascular compression syndrome in the cerebellopontine angle using MRI. This will increase the acceptance of the concept of vascular compression syndrome of the cranial nerves as an etiology of trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, and some cases of disabling vertigo and tinnitus.

Materials and methods

Between 1994 and 2008, MRI radiographs of 782 cases of vasculoneural compression were reviewed to analyze the imaging criteria of the offending vascular loop and were correlated with intraoperative vascular decompression findings in various pathologies such as hemifacial spasm, trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, vertigo, and tinnitus.

Results

The specificity and high sensitivity of the T2 constructive interference in steady state or fast spin eco sequence MRI allowed us to precisely define the vasculoneural conflict in almost all cases and to highlight certain radiological criteria required for a vasculoneural conflict diagnosis in general. These criteria are mainly the presence of a vascular loop that is perpendicular to the course of the nerve and the presence of distortion of the neural structures.

Conclusion

MRI in the T2 sequence is the key assessment in neurovascular compression syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ENT, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, Egypt

    Sherif Elaini MD

  2. Department of ENT, Hopital Nord, Marseille, France

    Jaques Magnan & Arnaud Deveze

  3. Department of Radiology, Hopital Nord, Marseille, France

    Nadine Girard

Authors
  1. Sherif Elaini MD
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  2. Jaques Magnan
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  3. Arnaud Deveze
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  4. Nadine Girard
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sherif Elaini MD.

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Elaini, S., Magnan, J., Deveze, A. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging criteria in vascular compression syndrome. Egypt J Otolaryngol 29, 10–15 (2013). https://doi.org/10.7123/01.EJO.0000423132.45878.f4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7123/01.EJO.0000423132.45878.f4

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