Functional magnetic resonance imaging: contemporary and future use.
OBJECTIVE
Functional magnetic resonance imaging is a relatively new neuroimaging technique that is being used in both research and clinical applications. Increasing work has been done to elucidate the auditory cortex.


RESULTS
Current studies focus on enhancing the sensitivity of functional magnetic resonance imaging in studying the auditory cortex and subcortical pathways in response to tonal stimulation, to evaluate the integrity of the auditory cortex before cochlear implantation, and as a screening tool for hearing impairment in the young child.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent work has been encouraging: silent functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques allow for better evaluation of the auditory cortex with less confounding scanner noises. Functional magnetic resonance imaging can be safely and reproducibly performed in hearing-impaired children and in the preoperative evaluation of candidates for cochlear implantation.
Zur
Karen B
KB
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Holland
Scott K
SK
Yuan
Weihong
W
Choo
Daniel I
DI
D000328:Adult; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity