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MRI Techniques for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is an intensely painful disorder caused by disruptions of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for providing sensation to the face and the surfaces of the eyes. Potential sources of the condition include compression of the nerve by a nearby artery or vein, brain tumors and progressive development of multiple sclerosis. MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a technique used to diagnose the presence of these underlying causes.

  1. Understanding MRIs

    • According to the Radiological Society of North America, an MRI scan is performed inside a large tube that creates a strong magnetic field. Using coils that send and receive radio waves, an MRI technician manipulates this magnetic field to create visual images of the interior of the human body. If you are receiving an MRI for a trigeminal neuralgia diagnosis, a device containing radio wave coils will be positioned around your head, and only your head will be placed in the MRI scanning chamber.

    Conventional MRI Techniques

    • In a conventional MRI procedure, your head will be scanned in multiple sequences that provide a detailed view of your skull's interior. Typically, the resolution power of a standard MRI is sufficient to reveal the presence of any tumor in the area of your trigeminal nerve, which is located near the bottom of your skull. The effects of multiple sclerosis can also be detected in this manner. Unfortunately, traditional MRI techniques are not capable of revealing the subtle details of the trigeminal nerve and its associated structures, and if your neuralgia symptoms are the result of impingement from an artery or vein, these causes will not be visible.

    3-D Volume Acquisition

    • However, according to the University of California, San Diego Medical Center, a newer form of MRI scan called 3-D volume acquisition can reveal these subtle details and provide a more complete diagnosis. If you undergo this procedure, a nurse or technician will insert an intravenous (IV) line into your hand or arm. Once this line is placed, a special solution called contrast material will be injected into your vein toward the vessels surrounding your trigeminal nerve. Essentially, this contrast material makes these vessels stand out more clearly in a scan, and provides a better view of their position relative to your nerve. Your MRI technician will then take a sequence of scans that are tighter in focus than those used for conventional MRIs. Once your trigeminal nerve is identified, multiple images will be taken of it and its neighboring vessels. In this way, your technician will be able to identify blood vessel obstructions roughly 80 percent of the time.

    Outcomes

    • A typical MRI scan lasts roughly 45 minutes. After your procedure, your doctor and an imaging specialist will examine your scan results and note any visible causes for your neuralgia symptoms. The remainder of your treatment will incorporate these findings. See your doctor for more details on appropriate MRI techniques.

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