Abstract :
The cerebrovascular system plays a key role in supporting the brain by providing oxygen and nutrients. The coupling between neuronal activity and vascular response is controlled by the neurovascular unit (NVU). Dysfunction in the neuronal cells may impair the proper control of vascular responses by the NVU. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most powerful tool available to investigate neurovascular pathologies.
Three-dimensional (3D) constructive interference in steady state (CISS) is a fully refocused steady-state gradient-echo MRI sequence. This sequence is now freely available and is frequently included with MRI to investigate a wide range of pathologies for detailed view of neurovascular anatomy. In oral and maxillofacial region, this has been applied to understand the neurovascular pathology behind diseases like Trigeminal neuralgia, nerve hypertrophy etc. Hence, understanding its basic physics and clinical utility might pave way for further applications in diagnosis of head and neck region.
Keyword :
Constructive interference in steady state, Longitudinal magnetization, Transverse magnetization, Central nervous system, Cranial nerves, Neurovascular compression