The glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, and hypoglossal cranial nerves can be affected by an acute or chronic process that has an impact on the way the patient presents clinically. Knowledge…
A good examination in facial nerve imaging (CT or MR imaging) depends on a good knowledge of anatomy. Two clinical situations must be considered: imaging of patients with or without…
Imaging of the trigeminal nerve requires a thorough understanding of its anatomy and function, clinical symptoms related to malfunction, and its key pathologies. Because of the nerve’s long course from…
The ocular motor nerves supply motor fibers to the extraocular muscles of the globe and levator muscle of the eyelid and parasympathetic pupillomotor fibers to the ciliary ganglion. Lesions are…
The olfactory system and especially the olfactory bulb (OB) as the first relay in the olfactory system represent highly plastic structures. For example, OB volume partly reflects the degree of…
This article focuses on pathologic processes affecting the optic nerve, optic nerve/sheath complex, and chiasm. Pathology of the visual pathways posterior to the chiasm is beyond the scope of this article…
We discuss the arterial supply of the cranial nerves from their exit out of the brain stem to their exit from the skull base. Four distinct groups can be differentiated…
Perineural spread (PNS) refers to the extent of tumor cells or other nonneoplastic lesions along the tissues of the nerve sheath, its overall incidence ranges from 2.5% to 5%. PNS…
Muscles undergoing denervation demonstrate a variety of imaging appearances in the various stages. It is incumbent on the radiologist to be aware of these changes so as not to interpret…
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the method of choice to evaluate the cranial nerves. Although the skull base foramina can be seen on CT, the nerves themselves can only be…
