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The value of single-shot turbo spin-echo diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the detection of middle ear cholesteatoma

  • Head and Neck Radiology
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Abstract

Introduction

Single-shot (SS) turbo spin-echo (TSE) diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non echo-planar imaging (EPI) technique recently reported for the evaluation of middle ear cholesteatoma. We prospectively evaluated a SS TSE DW sequence in detecting congenital or acquired middle ear cholesteatoma and evaluated the size of middle ear cholesteatoma detectable with this sequence. The aim of this study was not to differentiate between inflammatory tissue and cholesteatoma using SS TSE DW imaging.

Methods

A group of 21 patients strongly suspected clinically and/or otoscopically of having a middle ear cholesteatoma without any history of prior surgery were evaluated with late post-gadolinium MRI including this SS TSE DW sequence.

Results

A total of 21 middle ear cholesteatomas (5 congenital and 16 acquired) were found at surgery with a size varying between 2 and 19 mm. Hyperintense signal on SS TSE DW imaging compatible with cholesteatoma was found in 19 patients. One patient showed no hyperintensity due to autoevacuation of the cholesteatoma sac into the external auditory canal. Another patient showed no hyperintensity because of motion artifacts.

Conclusion

This study shows the high sensitivity of this SS TSE DW sequence in detecting small middle ear cholesteatomas, with a size limit as small as 2 mm.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, A.Z. Sint-Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

    Bert De Foer, Anja Bernaerts, Joachim Maes, Filip Deckers, Marc Pouillon & Jan W. Casselman

  2. University Department of ENT, A.Z. Sint-Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

    Jean-Philippe Vercruysse, Thomas Somers & Erwin Offeciers

  3. Department of Radiology, A.Z. Sint-Jan AV, Bruges, Belgium

    Jan W. Casselman

  4. Siemens Medical Solutions, Anderlecht, Belgium

    Johan Michiels

Authors
  1. Bert De Foer
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  2. Jean-Philippe Vercruysse
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  3. Anja Bernaerts
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  4. Joachim Maes
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  5. Filip Deckers
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  6. Johan Michiels
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  7. Thomas Somers
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  8. Marc Pouillon
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  9. Erwin Offeciers
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  10. Jan W. Casselman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bert De Foer.

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De Foer, B., Vercruysse, JP., Bernaerts, A. et al. The value of single-shot turbo spin-echo diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the detection of middle ear cholesteatoma. Neuroradiology 49, 841–848 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-007-0268-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-007-0268-3

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