RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 High-Resolution MR Cisternography of the Cerebellopontine Angle, Obtained with a Three-Dimensional Fast Asymmetric Spin-Echo Sequencein a 0.35-T Open MR Imaging Unit
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 1143
OP 1147
VO 20
IS 6
A1 Shinji Naganawa
A1 Tokiko Ito
A1 Eriko Iwayama
A1 Hiroshi Fukatsu
A1 Takeo Ishigaki
YR 1999
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/20/6/1143.abstract
AB Summary: High-resolution MR cisternography performed with 3D fast asymmetric spin-echo imaging (3D fast spin-echo with an ultra-long echo train length and asymmetric Fourier imaging) was optimized in a 0.35-T open MR imaging unit. The 0.35- and 1.5-T images of the two volunteers and three patients with acoustic schwannomas were then compared. The optimal parameters for images obtained by 3D fast asymmetric spin-echo imaging at 0.35 T were as follows: field of view, 15 cm; matrix, 256 × 256 × 40; section thickness, 1 mm; echo train length, 76; and imaging time, 10 minutes 44 seconds. Scans obtained from both normal volunteers showed the facial, cochlear, and superior and inferior vestibular nerves separately in the internal auditory canal on both 0.35- and 1.5-T images. All three acoustic schwannomas were depicted on both 0.35- and 1.5-T images. Screening for disease at the cerebellopontine angle and in the internal auditory canal, without the administration of contrast material on a low-field open MR imaging unit and within a clinically acceptable imaging time, may be possible. Further controlled prospective studies are required, however, before implementation on a wide basis. If proved effective, this may be of particular value for reducing healthcare costs and for imaging claustrophobic and pediatric patients in an open system.