PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - E Lang
AU  - R Naraghi
AU  - L Tanrikulu
AU  - P Hastreiter
AU  - R Fahlbusch
AU  - B Neundörfer
AU  - R Tröscher-Weber
TI  - Neurovascular relationship at the trigeminal root entry zone in persistent idiopathic facial pain: findings from MRI 3D visualisation
AID  - 10.1136/jnnp.2005.066084
DP  - 2005 Nov 01
TA  - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
PG  - 1506--1509
VI  - 76
IP  - 11
4099  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/76/11/1506.short
4100  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/76/11/1506.full
SO  - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry2005 Nov 01; 76
AB  - Background: Patients with atypical neuralgia or atypical facial pain have been surgically treated with microvascular decompression (MVD) of the trigeminal root entry zone (TREZ). There are no data regarding the sensitivity and specificity of a vessel–TREZ relationship as a cause of pain in patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) according to the definition given by the International Headache Society (IHS). Methods: The TREZ was visualised by 3D CISS MRI in 12 patients with unilateral PIFP according to the IHS criteria. Results: The frequency of artery–TREZ, vein–TREZ, or vessel (artery/vein)–TREZ contacts on the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides did not differ significantly. On the symptomatic side, vessel–TREZ contact was found in 58% of patients (sensitivity). On the asymptomatic side, vessel–TREZ contact was absent in 33% of patients (specificity). Conclusions: On the basis of the low sensitivity and specificity found in the present study, PIFP cannot be attributed to a vessel–TREZ contact, and therefore, pain relief after MVD cannot be expected.