Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging of Cranial Nerves in the Cavernous Sinus - with Emphasis on their Correlation with Anatomical Findings and Appropriate Slice Selections for Imaging -

The purpose of this work was to assess the correction of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and anatomic features in depicting the compartments of the cavernous sinus, and to obtain an appropriate MR slice derecting the compartments of the cavernous sinus, and to obtain an appropriate MR slice direction for revealing cranial nerves. Thirty-nine cavernous sinuses in human cadavers were studied using 1.5-T MR system. In the macroscopic study, the angle between the anteroposterior line on the tuberculum sellae and the long axis of the nerves was measured. The oculomotor nerve extended downward (16.0 degrees) and laterally (15.5 degrees) from the ateroposterioi line. The ophthalmic nerve went upward (8.8 degrees) and slightly laterally (0.7 degrees). In the MR images using slices matching the direction of each cranial nerve, oblique sagittal images detected the longitudinal courses of the oculomotor (64.3%), ophthamic (64.3％) and maxillary (71.4%) nerves, and oblique transverse images demonstrated that of osulomotor (64.3%), ophthalmic (71.4%) and maxillary (78.5%) nerves. MR imaging depicts well the anatomical sourses of the nerves, and an appropriate slice is able to demonstrate the long axis of the nerve.

magnetic resonance imaging

cavernous sinus

cranial nerve

oblique image