Magnetic resonance imaging of the extratemporal facial nerve of the rat.
OBJECTIVE
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an evolving technology that is being investigated for application in the study of the facial nerve. At the present time the majority of investigators use paramagnetic contrast agents, and the clinical utility of MRI for evaluation of facial paralysis is unproved. This study investigated both normal and injured rat facial nerves without contrast enhancement.


METHODS
Anatomic dissection and histologic studies were performed to better define the location of the facial nerve. A surface coil was used to improve image resolution.


RESULTS
Proton-weighted images showed that the normal facial nerve was a solid structure while the injured facial nerve was bright on T2-weighted images.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is a potentially useful method of investigating patients with facial nerve dysfunction. Further research is needed to clarify its role.
Sutherland
D
D
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.
Buist
R
R
Dort
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009409:Nerve Crush; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results