†These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editors: Nicola Montemurro, Andrea Stoccoro and Giovanni Grasso
Background: To investigate the predictive accuracy of three-dimension
(3D) time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA) and 3D Fast Imaging Employing
Steady-state Acquisition (FIESTA) techniques in assessing neurovascular
compression (NVC) with specific vessels in patients with primary trigeminal
neuralgia (TN). Methods: Patients with single-site primary TN undergoing
microvascular decompression (MVD) were retrospectively recruited. All patients
had available preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. A quantitative
NVC scoring system was applied to assess the severity of NVC on MRI. The
radiological findings were correlated with the intraoperative result to determine
the diagnostic accuracy of MRI techniques. Besides, the radiological indicator of
MVD was determined. Results: Seventy-three TN patients were recruited.
Thirty-three patient had bilateral NVC but with unilateral neuralgia. The average
NVC score of the asymptomatic side was significantly lower than that of the
symptomatic side (1.6 vs. 6.7; p