Three-dimensional fast spin-echo MR of the inner ear: ultra-long echo train length and half-Fourier technique.
We compared the image quality of the newly developed ultra-long echo train length (ETL) 3-D fast spin-echo (FSE) and half-Fourier technique, which is performed in less than 3 minutes, with the conventional 3D-FSE imaging technique, which takes 15 minutes, in assessing MR examinations of the inner ear. The new method's images were almost comparable to the conventional 3D-FSE images in depicting anatomic details and pathologic findings. Implementation of the ultra-long ETL and half-Fourier 3D-FSE imaging technique enables acquisition of inner ear MR studies in a vastly reduced time and with high spatial resolution without significant penalty, opening the possibility for low-cost screening of acoustic tumors without contrast enhancement in less than 3 minutes.
Naganawa
S
S
Department of Radiology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Itoh
T
T
Fukatsu
H
H
Ishigaki
T
T
Nakashima
T
T
Kassai
Y
Y
Miyazaki
M
M
Takai
H
H
D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000473:pathology*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis