Imaging of the lower cranial nerves

Abstract

Knowledge of the nuclear origins and the normal course of the cranial nerves, and their functional components, is important in any evaluation of cranial neuropathy. MR imaging allows detailed evaluation of cranial nerve anatomy and pathology. Newer MR sequences allow more sensitive methods of detecting pathology and determining the cause of cranial neuropathy. The correlation of clinical findings with MR images will allow for more definitive evaluation.