DIFFUSION-TENSOR MRI IN TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA CAUSED BY NEUROVASCULAR CONFLICT
Diffusion-tensor imaging in modern MR units is perspective tool for creation of tracts of brain white matter. Most often reason for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is vascular compression. Very important part in pain pathogenesis is played by structural changes, due to demyelination of trigeminal nerve root, caused by compression. Studying of structural changes of trigeminal nerve root in trigeminal neuralgia with DTI could clear influence of vascular compression for development of TN. The aim of this study was to estimate fractional anisotropy changes in trigeminal nerve root. Study included 33 patients with TN, who underwent microvascular decompression. Some of patients also had manipulation on trigeminal nerve root in anamnesis. It was revealed that fractional anisotropy (FA) is linked with compression degree and TN type - the less FA the higher the degree. After estimation of DTI it was revealed that FA is the less when patient had on trigeminal nerve root in anamnesis. Obtained data show changes that DTI could be helpful in choice of treatment tactics, allowing to demonstrate link of trigeminal root changes with compression.