Abstract
Background
Trigeminal neuralgia and central sensory disturbances are common in patients with
multiple sclerosis. The anatomic correlation to lesions in the trigeminal nuclei in
the brainstem is not well studied.
Objective
We studied the anatomical characteristics of demyelinating lesions of the trigeminal
complex in the brainstem on MRI in patients with MS and Clinically Isolated syndrome
(CIS).
Materials and methods
43 Patients with MS or CIS and MRI lesions in the trigeminal complex in the brainstem
were selected from a large database of patients referred for MRI because of trigeminal
symptoms.
Results and conclusion
A linear plaque involving the intrapontine fascicular part of the trigeminal nerve
and lesions of the spinal trigeminal nucleus and tract seem to be distinctive MRI
findings in patients with RRMS or CIS.
Highlights
- Trigeminal neuralgia and trigeminal sensible loss are frequent symptoms in MS.
- Brainstem lesions in MS are generally considered heterogeneous in their appearance and distribution.
- In patients with MS and CIS, lesions in the intrapontine fascicular part of the trigeminal complex seem to be more frequent.
- In patients with MS and CIS, lesions in the spinal tract and nucleus of the trigeminal complex seem to be more frequent.
- Lesions in these two anatomical regions of the brainstem can be considered distinctive MRI findings in patients with MS or CIS.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 14, 2013
Accepted:
December 11,
2012
Received in revised form:
November 22,
2012
Received:
September 7,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
