Cranial Nerve Disorders: Clinical Application of High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques

Abstract

Cranial-nerve disorders can be caused by a wide spectrum of diseases, including congenital, inflammatory, and tumorous diseases, and are often encountered in practice. However, the imaging of cranial-nerve disorders is challenging, and understanding the anatomical differences of each region is essential for conducting the best protocols and for detecting subtle changes in cranial nerves during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. In this review we discuss which MRI techniques are best for observing normal and pathologic appearance, according to the different regions of the cranial nerves.