3-DIMENSIONAL FAST SPIN-ECHO MR OF THE INNER-EAR - ULTRA-LONG ECHO TRAIN LENGTH AND HALF-FOURIER TECHNIQUE

We compared the image quality of the newly developed ultra-long echo t rain length (ETL) 3-D fast spin-echo (FSE) and half-Fourier technique, which is performed in less than 3 minutes, with the conventional 3D-F SE imaging technique, which takes 15 minutes, in assessing MR examinat ions of the inner ear. The new method's images were almost comparable to the conventional 3D-FSE images in depicting anatomic details and pa thologic findings. Implementation of the ultra-long ETL and half-Fouri er 3D-FSE imaging technique enables acquisition of inner ear MR studie s in a vastly reduced time and with high spatial resolution without si gnificant penalty, opening the possibility for low-cost screening of a coustic tumors without contrast enhancement in less than 3 minutes.