Morphometric evaluation of trigeminal nerve and meckel cave with 3.0 magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate morphometric features of the trigeminal nerve in healthy people on magnetic resonance images. The alterations in the size of the trigeminal nerve in the cisternal region along with aging and asymmetry between the right and left trigeminal nerves were also assessed. The knowledge of normal morphometric properties of the trigeminal nerve may be useful in evaluating patients having trigeminal neuralgia. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 120 (62 males, 58 female) healthy individuals over 20 years old who had no previous or current cranial pathology. According to age ranges, individuals were evaluated in four groups as 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50 years and older. Besides the long- and short-axis lengths of the trigeminal nerve, long- and short-axis lengths of Meckel cave, as well as the trigeminal-pons angle, were measured using three-dimensional balance fast-field echo sequence with 3T magnetic resonance imaging on the right and left sides.Results: It was observed that the lengths of trigeminal nerve were shorter on the right side in comparison to the left side (mean long axis 0,79 +/- 0,20 cm on the right, 0,86 +/- 0,28 cm on the left, P <0,05; and mean short-axis: 0,36 +/- 0,10 cm on the right and 0,41 +/- 0,17 cm on the left, P <0,05). Moreover, in males, the long-axis length of the Meckel cave was higher on both the right and left sides compared to females (P < 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: This study shows that, both the width and length of the right trigeminal nerve are shorter compared to left in healthily population. In addition, long axis of Meckel Cave, that is posterolateral to anteromedial extend, was longer on both the right and left sides in males compared to females.Results: It was observed that the long axis (mean: 0.79 +/- 0.20 cm on the right, 0.86 +/- 0.28 cm on the left, P < 0.05) and short axis (mean: 0.36 +/- 0.10 cm on the right and 0.41 +/- 0.17 cm, P < 0.05). Moreover, in males, the long-axis length of the Meckel cave was higher on both the right and left sides compared to females (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that, both the width and length of the right trigeminal nerve are shorter compared to left in healthily population. In addition, long axis of Meckel Cave, that is posterolateral to anteromedial extend, was longer on both the right and left sides in males compared to females.