Cranial nerve disorders: clinical manifestations and topography

Abstract

The detection of pathological conditions related to the twelve cranial pairs represents a significant challenge for both clinicians and radiologists; imaging techniques are fundamental for the management of many patients with these conditions. In addition to knowledge about the anatomy and pathological entities that can potentially affect the cranial pairs, the imaging evaluation of patients with possible cranial pair disorders requires specific examination protocols, acquisition techniques, and image processing. This article provides a review of the most common symptoms and syndromes related with the cranial pairs that might require imaging tests, together with a brief overview of the anatomy, the most common underlying processes, and the most appropriate imaging tests for different indications.

Keywords: Cranial nerve palsy; Cranial nerves; Cranial neuropathies; Cranial pairs; Nervios craneales; Neuralgia; Neuropatía de pares craneales; Pares craneales; Parálisis.