Comparison of FSE T2W and 3D FIESTA sequences in the evaluation of posterior fossa cranial nerves with MR cisternography.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare 3D fast imaging with steady state acquisition (3D FIESTA) to fast spin echo T2-weighted (FSE T2W) MRI sequences in the imaging of cisternal parts of cranial nerves V-XII.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the temporal MRI sequences of 50 patients (F:M ratio, 27:23; mean age, 44.5 +/- 15.9 years) who were admitted to our hospital with vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. In all, we evaluated 800 nerves. Two radiologists, working independently, divided the imaging findings into 3 groups: 0 (not visualized), 1 (partially visualized), and 2 (completely visualized).


RESULTS
The rate of visualization of these cranial nerves with FSE T2W and 3D FIESTA sequences, respectively, (partially and completely visualized) were as follows: nerve V (100% and 100%); nerve VI (43% and 98%); nerve VII (100% and 100%); nerve VIII (100% and 100%); nerve IX-XI complex (67% and 100%); nerve XII (2% and 91%).


CONCLUSIONS
3D FIESTA sequences are superior to FSE T2W sequences in the imaging of cisternal parts of the posterior fossa nerves. 3D FIESTA sequences may be used for obtaining high-resolution MR cisternography images.
Hatipoğlu
Hatice Gül
HG
Department of Radiology, Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. gulhatip@yahoo.com
Durakoğlugil
Tuğba
T
Ciliz
Deniz
D
Yüksel
Enis
E
D000328:Adult; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015192:Infratentorial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009485:Neuroradiography / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity