title: High-resolution MRI of cranial nerves in posterior fossa at 3.0 T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of high-resolution imaging obtainable with the higher field strength of 3.0 T on the visualization of the brain nerves in the posterior fossa.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 20 nerves were investigated on MRI of 12 volunteers each and selected for comparison, respectively, with the FSE sequences with 5 mm and 2 mm section thicknesses and gradient recalled echo (GRE) sequences acquired with a 3.0-T scanner. The MR images were evaluated by three independent readers who rated image quality according to depiction of anatomic detail and contrast with use of a rating scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, decrease of the slice thickness showed a significant increase in the detection of nerves as well as in the image quality characteristics. Comparing FSE and GRE imaging, the course of brain nerves and brainstem vessels was visualized best with use of the three-dimensional (3D) pulse sequence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The comparison revealed the clear advantage of a thin section. The increased resolution enabled immediate identification of all brainstem nerves. GRE sequence most distinctly and confidently depicted pertinent structures and enables 3D reconstruction to illustrate complex relations of the brainstem.
authors: Radiology Department, Hospital Municipal of Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
authors: Zi-Yi
authors: ZY
authors: Guo
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Qi-Zhou
authors: QZ
authors: Liang
authors: Hai-Yan
authors: HY
authors: Liao
authors: Qiong-Yue
authors: QY
authors: Cheng
authors: Shui-Xi
authors: SX
authors: Fu
authors: Cai-Xiang
authors: CX
authors: Chen
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000294:innervation*; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult