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Detailed imaging of the normal anatomy and pathologic conditions of the cavernous region at 3 Tesla using a contrast-enhanced MR angiography

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of a high-resolution contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) at 3 Tesla for the delineation of the cavernous sinus (CS) anatomy both under normal and under pathological conditions.

Methods

Fifteen patients without pathologies in the CS and ten patients with pituitary adenomas were included. The CE-MRA was performed on a 3-Tesla scanner and analyzed collaboratively by two readers. The cranial nerves (CNs) within the CS, namely CNIII, CNIV, CNV1, CNV2, and CNVI, were identified in both patient groups. In the adenoma patients it was also assessed whether and to which extend the adenoma invaded the CS and the spatial relationship between tumor and CNs was determined.

Results

In the patients with normal CS anatomy, CNIII could be identified in 100%, CNIV in 86.7%, and CNV1, CNV2, as well as CNVI in 100% of analyzed sides. Pituitary adenomas invaded the CS unilaterally (right side) in four patients, and bilaterally in six patients. In patients with adenomas, the CN could be identified and differentiated from the tumor in the following percentages: CNIII in 100%, CNIV in 70%, both CNV1 and CNV2 in 90%, and CNVI in 100%. In all these cases, the tumor–nerve spatial relationship could be visualized.

Conclusions

3-Tesla CE-MRA allows detailed imaging of the complex anatomy of the CS and its structures. In adenoma patients, it clearly visualizes the spatial relationship between tumor and CNs, and thus might be helpful to optimize presurgical planning.

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Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Jennifer Linn, Friederike Peters, Nina Lummel, Hartmut Brueckmann & Indra Yousry

  2. Department of Neurology, University Hospital Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Christoph Schankin

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Walter Rachinger

Authors
  1. Jennifer Linn
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  2. Friederike Peters
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  3. Nina Lummel
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  4. Christoph Schankin
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  5. Walter Rachinger
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  6. Hartmut Brueckmann
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  7. Indra Yousry
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Correspondence to Jennifer Linn.

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Linn, J., Peters, F., Lummel, N. et al. Detailed imaging of the normal anatomy and pathologic conditions of the cavernous region at 3 Tesla using a contrast-enhanced MR angiography. Neuroradiology 53, 947–954 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-011-0837-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-011-0837-3

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