Stefan Markus Niehues MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Arne-Joern Lemke MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Susanne Anja Hengst, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Iris Kazi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Martin Julius Brinkmann MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roland Felix MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patients with hereditary hardness of hearing or sudden hearing loss need an instant diagnostic workup to activate or recover their hearing abilities. Besides clinical tests MR imaging plays a major role to assess information about the inner ear, IAC and CPA. Purpose of this study was to evaluate different MRI protocols, field strengths and coils for visualization of the inner ear.

In a prospective study 10 patients with tinnitus and hearing loss and 25 healthy volunteers were examined on 1.5 and 3.0T-MRI (GE, Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA). 3D-FIESTA and 3D-FIESTA-C sequences as well as standard T1 and T2 weighted images for maximum intensity projection of the inner ear and visualization of the IAC and CPA were performed. Additionally images assessed with head and surface coils were compared.

High field MRI with a quadrature head coil proved to visualize the inner ear fluid best. While FIESTA-sequences showed artifacts making diagnostic of the inner ear impossible the FIESTA-C-sequence generated high resolution images visualizing even the interscalar septum. Surface coils realized high-resolution images of the inner ear on 1.5T but failed in visualization of the IAC and CPA in high resolution.

Evaluating patients with hearing loss 3D-FIESTA-C sequences assessed with a quadrature head coil and high fields proved to be best in imaging of the inner ear and the IAC. As an alternative surface coils can be used in midfield scanners in combination with a head-coil for visualization of the IAC and CPA.

Niehues, S, Lemke, A, Hengst, S, Kazi, I, Brinkmann, M, Felix, R, Imaging the Inner Ear and CPA with 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla MRI.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4409158.html