title: Magnetic resonance angiography: analysis of vascular lesions of the temporal bone and skull base.
abstract: Contrast-enhanced, high resolution, computed tomography (CT), along with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provide the skull-base surgeon with essential information for diagnosis and surgical planning. Evaluation of skull-base vasculature has traditionally been performed with angiography. Four-vessel angiography is an invasive procedure that subjects the patient to the potential risks of vascular injury, stroke, renal damage, anaphylaxis, and radiation. The development of gradient-recall echo pulse sequence in MRI provides a means to evaluate the vasculature with a noninvasive, low-risk technique. We review the experience of the House Ear Clinic with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in evaluating cranial-base abnormalities including paragangliomas, aberrant vessels, and dural sinus thrombosis. Based on a review of 25 cases, we conclude that MRA is a useful procedure for evaluation of major arteries, veins, and dural sinuses. The technique has been less helpful in defining small vessel detail such as feeding blood supply and tumor staining.
authors.affiliation: House Ear Clinic and House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Applegate
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De la Cruz
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lo
mesh_terms: D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology