Peng-Hu Wei1, Zhi-Gang Qi2, Ge Chen1, Ming-Chu Li1, Jian-Tao Liang1, Hong-Chuan Guo1, Yu-Hai Bao3, Qiang Hao4. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China. 2. Department of Radiology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China. Pro_baoyuhai@126.com. 4. Department of Neurosurgery, Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are no large series studies identifying the locations of cranial nerves (CNs) around trigeminal schwannomas (TSs); however, surgically induced cranial neuropathies are commonly observed after surgeries to remove TSs. In this study, we preoperatively identified the location of CNs near TSs using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). METHODS: An observational study of the DTT results and intraoperative findings was performed. We preoperatively completed tractography from images of patients with TSs who received surgical therapy. The result was later validated during tumorectomy. RESULTS: A total of three consecutive patients were involved in this study. The locations of CNs V-VIII in relation to the tumor was clearly revealed in all cases, except for CN VI in case 3.The predicted fiber tracts were in agreement with intraoperative observations. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, preoperative DTT accurately predicted the location of the majority of the nerves of interest. This technique can be applied by surgeons to preoperatively visualize nerve arrangements.
BACKGROUND: There are no large series studies identifying the locations of cranial nerves (CNs) around trigeminal schwannomas (TSs); however, surgically induced cranial neuropathies are commonly observed after surgeries to remove TSs. In this study, we preoperatively identified the location of CNs near TSs using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). METHODS: An observational study of the DTT results and intraoperative findings was performed. We preoperatively completed tractography from images of patients with TSs who received surgical therapy. The result was later validated during tumorectomy. RESULTS: A total of three consecutive patients were involved in this study. The locations of CNs V-VIII in relation to the tumor was clearly revealed in all cases, except for CN VI in case 3.The predicted fiber tracts were in agreement with intraoperative observations. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, preoperative DTT accurately predicted the location of the majority of the nerves of interest. This technique can be applied by surgeons to preoperatively visualize nerve arrangements.