title: Parallel-transmit-accelerated 2D Selective RF Excitation MR of the Temporal Bone: Enhanced Resolution of Labyrinthine and IAC Structures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare a standard T2 SPACE sequence (standard-SPACE) used in temporal bone imaging at 3 T with a new parallel-transmit-accelerated 2D-selective radio frequency excitation technique for SPACE which was either time-improved or resolution-improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two consecutive patients were examined in this IRB-approved study using a standard T2 SPACE sequence, and then a time-improved zoomed SPACE sequence (short z-SPACE) with identical resolution but accelerated image acquisition and a resolution-improved zoomed SPACE sequence (high-resolution z-SPACE) with identical acquisition time but higher resolution at a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging system. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured within selected regions of interest. Image quality of anatomic temporal bone structures was determined by two independent readers using a four-point visual scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant image quality improvement (p < 0.05) was observed in short z-SPACE and high-resolution z-SPACE, especially in structures of the cochlea and also regarding the delineation of the cranial nerves within the internal auditory canal. SNR measurements showed a lower SNR in the short z-SPACE and high-resolution z-SPACE sequences compared with standard-SPACE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At 3 T parallel transmission using the zoomed SPACE sequences improves the delineation of small anatomical structures within the temporal bone significantly. It is especially helpful in depicting cochlear and internal auditory canal anatomy and can therefore improve imaging in patients with temporal bone pathologies.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology †University Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery ‡Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.forename: Achim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reimann
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Klose
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ernemann
authors.forename: Till-Karsten
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hauser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013701:Temporal Bone