Focal deformity of the cranial nerves observed on multislice motion-sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE) in patients with neurovascular compression.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose is to demonstrate the deformity of the cranial nerves by arterial compression using a novel technique, multislice motion-sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE).

METHODS

Subjects were 10 patients with neurovascular compression (5 patients with trigeminal neuralgia and 5 patients with hemifacial spasm). We observed the existence and extent of deformity of nerves by MSDE. Afterward, we compared operative findings with preoperative imaging findings and evaluated the validity of the latter.

RESULTS

All compressing, blood vessels could be correctly identified through preoperative evaluation. Of all patients, 7 showed deformity of the cranial nerves, which was consistent with operative findings except in one case. In postoperative evaluation, patients' neurological symptoms improved and the deformity disappeared. Three patients did not show deformity on preoperative MSDE images. In these patients, neural compression was also not observed during the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The deformity of cranial nerves in patients with neurovascular compression was clearly shown using MSDE.