Trigeminal neuralgia protocol (MRI)

Last revised by Andrew Murphy on 23 Mar 2023

MRI protocol for trigeminal neuralgia assessment is a group of MRI sequences put together to best approach a possible cause for this condition.

The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is based on patient's history, and an imaging study is usually indicated when alert signs are noted. Imaging can help diagnosing an enlarged looping artery or vein pressing on the trigeminal nerve at the cerebellopontine angle, multiple sclerosis and cerebellopontine angle tumors.

A recent evidence-based review did not find evidence to support or refute the usefulness of MRI for detecting vascular contact with the trigeminal nerve 1.

Note: This article is intended to outline some general principles of protocol design. The specifics will vary depending on MRI hardware and software, radiologist's and referrer's preference, institutional protocols, patient factors (e.g. allergy) and time constraints. 

Sequences

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