Trigeminal neuralgia: vascular compression

Case contributed by Praveen Jha
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Typical trigeminal neuralgia presentation on the right side.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male

MRI Brain

mri
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T2
This study is a stack
Axial
T2
This study is a stack
Coronal
T2
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Info

Superior cerebellar artery is seen to impress the root of trigeminal nerve, with mild buckling of the nerve.

Annotated image
Sagittal
Axial
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Info

Annotated T2WI demonstrating relationship of the right superior cerebellar artery (SCA) to the trigeminal nerve. 

Case Discussion

One of the common causes of trigeminal neuralgia, where MRI is particularly helpful, is compression of trigeminal nerve by loops of superior cerebellar artery or anterior inferior cerebellar artery. This case classically depicts such abnormality. Patient underwent surgery, and diagnosis was confirmed.

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