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Trigeminal root entry zone involvement in neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis
Atsuhiko Sugiyama1, Masahiro Mori1, Hiroki Masuda1
1Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|June 10, 2015
Summary
Trigeminal root entry zone abnormalities on MRI scans were found in some patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. This suggests the pontine trigeminal root entry zone may be affected in both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Trigeminal root entry zone abnormalities are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) on brain MRI.
- These abnormalities have not been previously studied in neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and frequency of trigeminal root entry zone abnormalities in patients with NMO.
- To compare these findings with those in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate 128 consecutive MS patients and 46 consecutive NMO patients.
- The presence of trigeminal root entry zone abnormalities was assessed in all participants.
Main Results:
- Trigeminal root entry zone abnormalities were identified in 8.6% of MS patients (11 out of 128).
- Abnormalities were also found in 4.3% of NMO patients (2 out of 46).
Conclusions:
- The pontine trigeminal root entry zone may be involved in the pathology of both MS and NMO.
- Further research is warranted to understand the significance of these findings in NMO.
Keywords:
Magnetic resonance imagingMultiple sclerosisNeuromyelitis opticaTrigeminal nerveTrigeminal neuralgiaTrigeminal root entry zone
