High-resolution magnetic resonance and volume rendering of the labyrinth

Our aim was to verify the feasibility of volume rendering (VR) of high-reso lution magnetic resonance (HR-MR) data sets of the labyrinth. We retrospect ively reviewed the HR-MR data sets of 16 consecutive patients with no MR ev idence of labyrinthine pathology. High-resolution MP data sets were obtaine d by means of a 3D T2-weighted FSE sequence with the use of a 3-in. circula r surface coil for signal reception, and processed with a high-end workstat ion. Two reviewers performed separately VR of the labyrinth by selecting th e signal intensity interval for attribution of opacity and transparency. Co ncerning the time taken for definition of the volume of interest, the two o bservers needed, respectively 28.9 and 33.1 min (SD +/- 8.7-9.5 min), where as the time taken for VR was respectively, 26 and min (SD +/- 8.8-8.9 min). Concerning the selection of the signal intensity interval, the two observe rs had, respectively, 86.4 and 88.7 mean lower threshold (SD +/- 34.5-33.5) , 488.9 and 495.4 mean rer threshold (SD +/- 56.3-53.8). In our experience, we have found VR of HR-MR to offer a reliable a reproducible technique for producing 3D representations of the labyrinth. The VR algorithms use data within the imaging volume and optimize dynamic range ascribed to the object being visualized.