title: Three-dimensional imaging of the inner ear by volume-rendered reconstructions of magnetic resonance data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate 3-dimensional inner ear visualization by volume rendering of high-resolution magnetic resonance data in patients with clinically suspected inner ear abnormality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective comparative study of different postprocessing techniques, based on blinded film readings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients (17 females and 33 males) aged 1 to 77 years (average age, 42 years) with sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, and/or tinnitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postprocessing of magnetic resonance data to inner ear reconstructions by the use of volume rendering as well as maximum-intensity projection; caloric testing by electronystagmography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Film was read blindly by 4 radiologists using a 5-point parameter scale for image quality and diagnostic value. The assessibility of inner ear subsegments was evaluated. The specificity of volume-rendered reconstructions for detecting semicircular canal obliterations was assessed in a subgroup of 9 patients by caloric testing. The time required for data postprocessing as well as film reading was recorded by means of a stopwatch.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Volume-rendered inner ear reconstructions were superior in image quality (P<.001), diagnostic value (P<.001), subsegment inner ear assessment (P<.01 to P<.001), and film reading time (P<.001) compared with maximum-intensity projections. The data postprocessing time was comparable for both techniques. Caloric weakness was noted in all patients assessed by electronystagmography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Volume rendering is the postprocessing technique of choice for 3-dimensional inner ear visualization, performing better than maximum-intensity projections with respect to various parameters.
authors: Neuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Charité CM, Schumannstr 20/21, 10098 Berlin, Germany. Randolf.Klingebiel@charite.de
authors: Randolf
authors: R
authors: Klingebiel
authors: Nadine
authors: N
authors: Thieme
authors: Dietmar
authors: D
authors: Kivelitz
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Enzweiler
authors: Mechthild
authors: M
authors: Werbs
authors: Rüdiger
authors: R
authors: Lehmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; 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; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000379:methods*