Trigeminal nerve and ganglion in the Meckel cave: appearance at CT and MR imaging

Abstract

Purpose: To demonstrate the anatomy of the Meckel cave, which is normally seen by means of dissection, with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials and methods: Twenty cadaver specimens were scanned with 1-mm contiguous axial and coronal CT sections. Seven specimens were also scanned with 1-mm contiguous parasagittal sections and were dissected for correlation with CT images. Two volunteers also underwent high-resolution, fast spin-echo MR imaging. MR images were compared with the CT images and the results of dissection.

Results: Dissection and CT and MR imaging demonstrated that the trigeminal nerve within the Meckel cave consists of numerous small fibers and that the trigeminal ganglion consists of a small amount of solid tissue.

Conclusion: In vivo, high-resolution, fast spin-echo imaging can demonstrate the anatomy of the trigeminal nerve in the Meckel cave because of improved spatial and contrast resolution.