American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol 19, Issue 4 739-741, Copyright © 1998 by American Society of Neuroradiology
ARTICLES |
Three-dimensional fast spin-echo MR of the inner ear: ultra-long echo train length and half-Fourier technique
S Naganawa, T Itoh, H Fukatsu, T Ishigaki, T Nakashima, Y Kassai, M Miyazaki and H Takai
Department of Radiology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
We compared the image quality of the newly developed ultra-long echo train length (ETL) 3-D fast spin-echo (FSE) and half-Fourier technique, which is performed in less than 3 minutes, with the conventional 3D-FSE imaging technique, which takes 15 minutes, in assessing MR examinations of the inner ear. The new method's images were almost comparable to the conventional 3D-FSE images in depicting anatomic details and pathologic findings. Implementation of the ultra-long ETL and half-Fourier 3D-FSE imaging technique enables acquisition of inner ear MR studies in a vastly reduced time and with high spatial resolution without significant penalty, opening the possibility for low-cost screening of acoustic tumors without contrast enhancement in less than 3 minutes.