The Usefulness of the 3-D Overlapped Reconstruction MR Angiographic Technique in Patients with Hemifacial Spasm - A Preliminary Study.
- Author:
Yoon Mi LEE
1
;
Myung Kwan LIM
;
Sun Won PARK
;
Hae Wook PYUN
;
Myung Kwan YOON
;
Eun Young KIM
;
Chang Hae SUH
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, Inha University Hospital, College of Medicine, Korea. kanlim@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Magnetic resonance (MR), technology;
Magnetic resonance (MR), angiography
- MeSH:
Angiography;
Facial Nerve;
Hemifacial Spasm*;
Humans;
Prospective Studies
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
2007;11(1):33-38
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To investigate the applicability of the new three-dimensional overlapped reconstruction MR angiography (3-D ORMRA) technique in patients with hemifacial spasm and to compare the new 3-D reconstruction images with conventional MRA source images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 27 patients with surgically proven hemifacial spasm. In all patients, conventional MRA source images and 3-D fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) images were obtained prospectively. After 3-D MR angiographic images were obtained, the 3-D MRA and FIESTA images were overlapped at the workstation by using GE A/W 4.2 add/sub software. We analyzed the relationship between the offending vessels and root exit zone of the facial nerve using both 3-D ORMRA images and conventional MRA source images. RESULTS: In 25 of 27 patients, the offending vessel at the REZ of the facial nerve could be correctly identified on conventional MRA source images. In all patients, the presumed offending vessels depicted by the overlapped 3-D reconstruction MRA image corresponded well with the intraoperative findings. The 3-D reconstruction image showed more clear visualization of the spatial relationship between the offending vessels and the root exit zone of the facial nerve. CONCLUSION: The overlapped 3-D reconstruction MR angiography technique is very useful and informative in patients with hemifacial spasm, as compared with conventional MRA angiography technique.
