Learning objectives
The purposes of our educational exhibit are to:
1.
Review the role of Imaging (MRI and CT) in the study of cranial nerves
2.
Illustrate the main pathologies of the cranial nerves
Background
Twelve pairs of cranial nerves (CNs) control motor and sensory functions of the head and neck.
Radiologists and,
in particular,
neuroradiologists should be familiar with their anatomy and should know clinical and imaging findings of their dysfunctions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard in the study of the CNs,
while Computed Tomography (CT) is inferior to visualize the CNs themselves,
due to its low contrast resolution.
The role of MRI and CT in the study of CNs is summarized in Table 1....
Findings and procedure details
Nuclei of CNs,
except I and II,
are located in the brainstem.
From their origin,
nerves are divided in cisternal,
intracranial and extracranial segments.
CNs anatomy and functions are summarized in Table 2.
Pathology of CNs involves a wide spectrum of etiologies,
summarized in Table 3.
Neoplasms:
Schwannoma
Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that originate from Schwann cells.
Typically (90%) they arise from the VIII CN; trigeminal involvement is the second most common (0.8%–5%) [6,7].
Intracranial schwannomas can be associated with Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2)....
Conclusion
The knowledge of the anatomy and pathology of CNsis fundamental for radiologists and neuroradiologists.
We hope that our exhibit could be a useful guide to review the most important pathologies that involveCNs and their differential diagnosis.
Personal information
Nicola Romano:
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL) - Radiology Section,
University of Genoa,
Genoa,
Italy
Valeria Cozzolino:
Department ofDiagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, E.O.
Ospedali Galliera,
Genoa,
Italy.
Margherita Federici:
Department ofDiagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, E.O.
Ospedali Galliera,
Genoa,
Italy.
Simona Parodi:
Department ofDiagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, E.O.
Ospedali Galliera,
Genoa,
Italy.
Marta Pensa:
Department ofDiagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, E.O.
Ospedali Galliera,
Genoa,
Italy.
Uberto Luigi Ruffinengo:
Department ofDiagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, E.O.
Ospedali Galliera,
Genoa,
Italy.
Antonio Castaldi:
Department ofDiagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, E.O.
Ospedali...
References
Yousry I,
Camelio S,
Schmid UD,
Horsfield MA,
Wiesmann M,
Brückmann H,
Yousry TA (2000) Visualization of cranial nerves I-XII: value of 3D CISS and T2-weighted FSE sequences. Eur Radiol 10(7):1061-7.
Casselman J,
Mermuys K,
Delanote J,
Ghekiere J,
Coenegrachts K (2008) MRI of the cranial nerves-more than meets the eye: technical considerations and advanced anatomy.
Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 18(2):197-231
Sheth S,
Branstetter BF 4th,
Escott EJ (2009) Appearance of normal cranial nerves on steady-state free precession MR images. Radiographics 29(4):1045-55.
Binder DK,
Sonne...