title: Gadolinium enhanced 3D proton density driven equilibrium MR imaging in the evaluation of cisternal tumor and associated structures: comparison with balanced fast-field-echo sequence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although Gadolinium enhanced bFFE is commonly used to evaluate cisternal tumors, banding artifact may interrupt interpretation and adjacent nerve and vessels differentiation is known to be difficult. We analyzed the qualities of Gd enhanced 3D PDDE in the evaluation of cisternal tumors, comparing with bFFE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty five cisternal tumors (33 schwannoma and 12 meningioma) on both bFFE and PDDE were retrospectively reviewed. For quantitative analysis, contrast ratios of CSF to tumor and tumor to parenchyma (CRC/T and CRT/P) on both sequences were compared by paired t-test. For qualitative analysis, the readers gauged the qualities of the two MR sequences with respect to the degree of demarcating cisternal structures (tumor, basilar artery, AICA, trigeminal nerve, facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerve).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In quantitative analysis, CRC/T and CRT/P on 3D PDDE was significantly lower than that of 3D bFFE (p < 0.01). In qualitative analysis, basilar artery, AICA, facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerves were significantly better demarcated on 3D PDDE than on bFFE (p < 0.01). The degree of demarcation of tumor on 3D PDDE was not significantly different with that on 3D bFFE (p = 0.13).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the contrast between tumor and the surrounding structures are reduced, Gd enhanced 3D PDDE provides better demarcation of cranial nerves and major vessels adjacent to cisternal tumors than Gd enhanced bFFE.
authors: Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sung Jun
authors: SJ
authors: Ahn
authors: Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Mi Ri
authors: MR
authors: Yoo
authors: Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sang Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Suh
authors: Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seung-Koo
authors: SK
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kyu Sung
authors: KS
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Otorhinolarygology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Eun Jin
authors: EJ
authors: Son
authors: Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Tae-Sub
authors: TS
authors: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011522:Protons; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011522:Protons; D005682:Gadolinium