HIGH-RESOLUTION 3D IMAGING OF THE INNER-EAR WITH A MODIFIED FAST SPIN-ECHO PULSE SEQUENCE

A fast spin-echo pulse sequence is described that produces high resolu tion images of the inner ear without susceptibility artifacts. It uses thin overlapping slices that can be reformatted in multiple projectio ns to provide a view of the 3D geometry of inner ear structures, such as the cochlea, vestibule, semicircular canals, and internal auditory canal, It has proven useful in screening adults for the presence of ac oustic schwannoma and in identifying structural congenital lesions in children with sensorineural hearing loss.