Korean J Radiol.  2008 Jun;9(3):212-218. 10.3348/kjr.2008.9.3.212.

MR Imaging of the Internal Auditory Canal and Inner Ear at 3T: Comparison between 3D Driven Equilibrium and 3D Balanced Fast Field Echo Sequences

• Byun JS
• Kim HJ
• Yim YJ
• Kim ST
• Jeon P
• Kim KH
• Kim SS
• Jeon YH
• Lee J

• KMID: 1758454
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2008.9.3.212

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the use of 3D driven equilibrium (DRIVE) imaging with 3D balanced fast field echo (bFFE) imaging in the assessment of the anatomic structures of the internal auditory canal (IAC) and inner ear at 3 Tesla (T). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty ears of 15 subjects (7 men and 8 women; age range, 22-71 years; average age, 50 years) without evidence of ear problems were examined on a whole-body 3T MR scanner with both 3D DRIVE and 3D bFFE sequences by using an 8-channel sensitivity encoding (SENSE) head coil. Two neuroradiologists reviewed both MR images with particular attention to the visibility of the anatomic structures, including four branches of the cranial nerves within the IAC, anatomic structures of the cochlea, vestibule, and three semicircular canals. RESULTS: Although both techniques provided images of relatively good quality, the 3D DRIVE sequence was somewhat superior to the 3D bFFE sequence. The discrepancies were more prominent for the basal turn of the cochlea, vestibule, and all semicircular canals, and were thought to be attributed to the presence of greater magnetic susceptibility artifacts inherent to gradient-echo techniques such as bFFE. CONCLUSION: Because of higher image quality and less susceptibility artifacts, we highly recommend the employment of 3D DRIVE imaging as the MR imaging choice for the IAC and inner ear.

Keyword

Temporal bone, MR; Cisternography, MR; Magnetic resonance (MR), pulse sequences; Magnetic resonance (MR), high-field-strength imaging

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Cochlea/anatomy & histology
Ear, Inner/*anatomy & histology
Female
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods
Male
Middle Aged
Semicircular Canals/anatomy & histology
Vestibule, Labyrinth/anatomy & histology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of 3D driven equilibriumand 3D balanced fast field echo sequences for visualization of basal turn of cochlea. Diameter of basal turn of cochlea on both sides (arrows) is greater on 3D driven equilibrium image (A) than on 3D balanced fast field echo image (B).

• 

  Fig. 2 Comparison of 3D driven equilibrium and 3D balanced fast field echo sequences for visualization of vestibule and lateral semicircular canal. While vestibule and lateral semicircular canal are clearly seen without any areas of signal loss on 3D driven equilibrium image (A), there are significant blackouts (arrows) due to susceptibility artifacts as seen on 3D balanced fast field echo image (B).

• 

  Fig. 3 Comparison of 3D driven equilibrium and 3D balanced fast field echo sequences for visualization of posterior semicircular canal. While entire posterior semicircular canal is well seen on 3D driven equilibrium image (A), there is large area of signal loss (arrow) on 3D balanced fast field echo image (B).

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