Daniel Fossum Bratbak1,2, Mari Folvik3, Ståle Nordgård4,5, Lars Jacob Stovner4,6, David W Dodick4,7, Manjit Matharu8, Erling Tronvik4,6,9. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Olav Kyrres gate 17, 7006, Trondheim, Norway. daniel.f.bratbak@ntnu.no. 2. Department of Neuroscience, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. daniel.f.bratbak@ntnu.no. 3. Department of Radiology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. 4. Department of Neuroscience, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. 5. Department of ENT, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. 6. Norwegian Advisory Unit on Headaches, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. 7. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA. 8. Headache Group, Institute of Neurology, University College London and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK. 9. Department of Neurology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The pterygopalatine ganglion has yet not been identified on medical images in living humans. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether the pterygopalatine ganglion could be identified on 3 T MR imaging. METHODS: This study was performed on medical images of 20 Caucasian subjects on both sides (n = 40 ganglia) with an exploratory design. 3 T MR images were assessed by two physicians for the presence and size of the pterygopalatine ganglion. The distance from the pterygopalatine ganglion to four bony landmarks was registered from fused MR and CT images. In an equivalence analysis, the distances were compared to those obtained in an anatomical cadaveric study serving as historical controls (n = 50). RESULTS: A structure assumed to be the pterygopalatine ganglion was identified on MR images in all patients on both sides by both physicians. The mean size was depth 2.1 ± 0.5 mm, width 4.2 ± 1.1 mm and height 5.1 ± 1.4 mm, which is in accordance with formerly published data. Equivalence of the measurements on MR images and the historical controls was established, suggesting that the structure identified on the MR images is the pterygopalatine ganglion. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the pterygopalatine ganglion can be detected on 3 T MR images. Identification of the pterygopalatine ganglion may be important for image-guided interventions targeting the pterygopalatine ganglion, and has the potential to increase the efficacy, safety and reliability for these treatments.
PURPOSE: The pterygopalatine ganglion has yet not been identified on medical images in living humans. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether the pterygopalatine ganglion could be identified on 3 T MR imaging. METHODS: This study was performed on medical images of 20 Caucasian subjects on both sides (n = 40 ganglia) with an exploratory design. 3 T MR images were assessed by two physicians for the presence and size of the pterygopalatine ganglion. The distance from the pterygopalatine ganglion to four bony landmarks was registered from fused MR and CT images. In an equivalence analysis, the distances were compared to those obtained in an anatomical cadaveric study serving as historical controls (n = 50). RESULTS: A structure assumed to be the pterygopalatine ganglion was identified on MR images in all patients on both sides by both physicians. The mean size was depth 2.1 ± 0.5 mm, width 4.2 ± 1.1 mm and height 5.1 ± 1.4 mm, which is in accordance with formerly published data. Equivalence of the measurements on MR images and the historical controls was established, suggesting that the structure identified on the MR images is the pterygopalatine ganglion. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the pterygopalatine ganglion can be detected on 3 T MR images. Identification of the pterygopalatine ganglion may be important for image-guided interventions targeting the pterygopalatine ganglion, and has the potential to increase the efficacy, safety and reliability for these treatments.
Authors: Patrick C Chang; Nancy J Fischbein; Timothy H McCalmont; Mohammed Kashani-Sabet; Elizabeth M Zettersten; Amon Y Liu; Jane L Weissman Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Daniel Fossum Bratbak; Ståle Nordgård; Lars Jacob Stovner; Mattias Linde; David W Dodick; Irina Aschehoug; Mari Folvik; Erling Tronvik Journal: Cephalalgia Date: 2016-05-06 Impact factor: 6.292
Authors: Joan Crespi; Daniel Bratbak; David Dodick; Manjit Matharu; Kent Are Jamtøy; Irina Aschehoug; Erling Tronvik Journal: J Headache Pain Date: 2018-02-13 Impact factor: 7.277