Abstract
Purpose
The pterygopalatine ganglion has yet not been identified on medical images in living humans. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether the pterygopalatine ganglion could be identified on 3 T MR imaging.
Methods
This study was performed on medical images of 20 Caucasian subjects on both sides (n = 40 ganglia) with an exploratory design. 3 T MR images were assessed by two physicians for the presence and size of the pterygopalatine ganglion. The distance from the pterygopalatine ganglion to four bony landmarks was registered from fused MR and CT images. In an equivalence analysis, the distances were compared to those obtained in an anatomical cadaveric study serving as historical controls (n = 50).
Results
A structure assumed to be the pterygopalatine ganglion was identified on MR images in all patients on both sides by both physicians. The mean size was depth 2.1 ± 0.5 mm, width 4.2 ± 1.1 mm and height 5.1 ± 1.4 mm, which is in accordance with formerly published data. Equivalence of the measurements on MR images and the historical controls was established, suggesting that the structure identified on the MR images is the pterygopalatine ganglion.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that the pterygopalatine ganglion can be detected on 3 T MR images. Identification of the pterygopalatine ganglion may be important for image-guided interventions targeting the pterygopalatine ganglion, and has the potential to increase the efficacy, safety and reliability for these treatments.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of research nurse Irina Aschehoug for her work during this trial and the kind assistance of Prof. Dr. Stefanie Kürten and Michael Christof at Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Germany. Most importantly, we acknowledge the excellent work by Prof. Dr. Johannes Lang and Prof. Dr. Helmut Keller enabling us to perform this study.
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This work was supported by the Liaison Committee between the Central Norway Regional Health Authority and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Grant number 12/9996); Joint Research Unit between St. Olavs Hospital and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Grant number 9885); NTNU Discovery (Grant number 244278.
Conflict of interest
The results of this study may affect opinions on the feasibility of interventional treatments targeting the PPG. An intervention device for image-guided injections of pharmacological substances towards the PPG is developed at NTNU and St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital. These institutions may benefit financially of a commercialization of the device through future possible intellectual properties, this may include financial benefits to authors of this article. Dr. Bratbak is co-inventor of a proposed treatment targeting the PPG and the intervention device used to perform the treatment, both inventions patent pending, and may benefit financially of a commercialization of the proposed treatment through future possible intellectual properties. Dr. Folvik has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nordgård is co-inventor of a proposed treatment targeting the PPG and the intervention device used to perform the treatment, both inventions patent pending, and may benefit financially of a commercialization of the proposed treatment through future possible intellectual properties. Dr. Stovner has no relevant conflicts of interest. Dr. Dodick has consulted for Allergan, Amgen, Alder, CoLucid, Merck, eNeura, Eli Lilly & Company, Autonomic Technologies, Teva, Tonix, GBS, Dr. Reddy’s, and Xenon within the past 12 months. Dr. Matharu reports grants from Allergan, grants and part-sponsored educational events from electroCore, grants from Medtronic, grants from St Jude Medical, all outside the submitted work. Dr. Tronvik may benefit financially of a commercialization of a proposed treatment targeting the PPG and the intervention device used to perform the treatment through future possible intellectual properties.
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Bratbak, D.F., Folvik, M., Nordgård, S. et al. Depicting the pterygopalatine ganglion on 3 Tesla magnetic resonance images. Surg Radiol Anat 40, 689–695 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-017-1960-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-017-1960-6