Accuracy of single-sequence MRI for investigation of the fluid-filled spaces in the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle.
We prospectively studied 163 patients referred for MRI of the temporal bone. A presumed diagnosis was made using only one of three sequences: a single thick (12 mm) slice fast T2-sequence, 3D fourier transform constructive interference in steady state (3DFT-CISS) sequence and a gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted sequence. The visibility of the cochlea, vestibule and superior, lateral and posterior semicircular canals of normal temporal bones was assessed on the T2-weighted images: they were almost always visible (98-100%), with exception of the superior semicircular canal, seen in only 35% of cases. The images were interpreted as abnormal in 34 patients (21%). Using only the fast T2-weighted, 3DFT-CISS and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted sequences a presumed false positive diagnosis was made in 5, 1 and 0 cases and a false negative diagnosis in 2, 2 and 4 cases respectively. The overall reliability of the thick-section fast T2-weighted images is limited. This study suggests that a combination of gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted and 3DFT-CISS images can be considered the gold standard for temporal bone MRI and neither sequence performed separately is as accurate as both together.
Lemmerling
M
M
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Gent, Belgium. marc.lemmerling@mri2.rug.ac.be
De Praeter
G
G
Caemaert
J
J
Van Cauwemberge
P
P
De Reuck
J
J
Vermeersch
H
H
Kunnen
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003051:Cochlea / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007223:Infant; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000473:pathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium