title: MRI assessment of internal acoustic canal variations using 3D-FIESTA sequences.
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the internal acoustic canal is the standard diagnostic tool for a wide range of indications in patients. This study aims to investigate the vascular variations and compression of the cranial nerves (CNs) VII and VIII at the cerebellopontine angle in patients with neuro-otologic symptoms using 3D-fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) MR imaging. One hundred and eighty-seven patients (374 temporal bones) were examined on a 1.5-T MRI. In addition to conventional MR sequences, a 3D-FIESTA MR imaging was acquired. Magnetic resonance images thus obtained were evaluated with special regard to the presence of vascular contact to the CNs VII and VIII, as well as the presence of the vascular variations of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) causing the compression of CNs. The Chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis. No statistically significant differences were found between the presence and absence of the AICA loop and/or vascular contact for the clinical symptoms of patients (P > 0.05). The cisternal and canalicular segments of CNs VII and VIII and adjacent vascular variations are well identified using 3D-FIESTA, especially by determining the relationship of the AICA variations between CNs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Izmir Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Basın Sitesi, Karabağlar, Izmir 35360, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nezahat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erdogan
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.forename: Emrah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akay
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karakas
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uluc
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mete
authors.forename: Aysegul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oygen
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oyar
authors.forename: Fazıl
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gelal
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Songu
authors.forename: Huseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katilmis
authors.forename: Cağlar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calli
mesh_terms: D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D000160:Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis