Volume of the cisternal portion of the trigeminal nerve: A study with 3.0-tesla constructive-interference-in-steady-state imaging of healthy subjects [Trigeminal sinirin sisternal parçasının hacmi: Sağlıklı kişilerde 3 tesla CISS Çalışması]

Objective: atrophy of the trigeminal nerve is observed in most patients with trigeminal neuralgia (tn),and likely occurs secondary to structural abnormalities. the aim of this study was to determine the volume of the trigeminal nerve in healthy subjects. methods: the posterior fossa structures of 61 women and 39 men aged 19 to 84 years were imaged by constructive-interference-in-steady-state sequence using a 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance unit. the left and right volumes of the cisternal portions of trigeminal nerves (cptn) of each individual were measured. findings were statistically compared according to sex and side. results: in women,the mean volume of cptn was 66.1 mm3 on the left and 66.4 mm3 on the right. the corresponding values for men were 77.4 mm3 and 78 mm3. the overall cptn volume was lower in women than in men. overall the mean volume difference between the left and right cptns was 4.6±3.6%. conclusion: there was no significant difference between the mean right and left cptn volumes in males or females. trigeminal nerve atrophy in a patient with tn may be a significant finding; however,it is not possible to state whether this is a cause or consequence of tn,or the result of surgical treatment for tn. © 2015,ege university press. all rights reserved.