An anatomical study of the subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion in horses
BORIS DOI
Subtitle
in preparation for a controlled glycerol rhizotomy in equids
Abstract
Equine trigeminal-mediated headshaking is a neuropathic disorder comparable to trigeminal neuralgia in humans. The selective destruction of pain fibers within the trigeminal ganglion, called rhizotomy, is the surgical treatment of choice for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. The human trigeminal ganglion is enclosed by a dural recess in which the ganglion is surrounded by a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled subarachnoid space. During glycerol rhizotomy, glycerol is into this CSF-filled space. In horses, information about the subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion is lacking.
Six equine cadaver heads were investigated for CSF accumulation around the ganglion with a 3 Tesla MRI. Following contrast cisternography, the exact delineation and volume of the contrast agent accumulation was determined on subsequent microCT scans and segmentation. The distribution of the contrast agent in the subarachnoid space was examined histologically in three specimens.
In all 12 specimens, the trigeminal ganglion was surrounded by a subarachnoid space. The mean volume of the trigeminal cave in this study was 0.31 mL. Distribution of the contrast agent along the peripheral nerves was observed in 7 out of 12 specimens.
A subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion exists in horses and could be targeted for glycerol rhizotomy in horses. However, the clinical relevance of contrast agent distribution along the peripheral nerves remains to be assessed.
Six equine cadaver heads were investigated for CSF accumulation around the ganglion with a 3 Tesla MRI. Following contrast cisternography, the exact delineation and volume of the contrast agent accumulation was determined on subsequent microCT scans and segmentation. The distribution of the contrast agent in the subarachnoid space was examined histologically in three specimens.
In all 12 specimens, the trigeminal ganglion was surrounded by a subarachnoid space. The mean volume of the trigeminal cave in this study was 0.31 mL. Distribution of the contrast agent along the peripheral nerves was observed in 7 out of 12 specimens.
A subarachnoid space surrounding the trigeminal ganglion exists in horses and could be targeted for glycerol rhizotomy in horses. However, the clinical relevance of contrast agent distribution along the peripheral nerves remains to be assessed.
Date of Publication
2024
Year of graduation
2024
Theses Type
dissertation
Language(s)
en
de
Author(s)
Becker, Richard Alexander |
Faculty/Graduate School
Institute
Access(Rights)
open.access
Primary OA Publication
true