MRI of the inner ear - Comparison of axial T2-weighted, three-dimensional turbo spin-echo images, maximum-intensity projections, and volume rendering

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. TO compare the ability of axial T2-weighted, thre e-dimensional, turbo spin-echo (3D TSE) images, targeted maximum-intensity projections (MIPs), and 3D volume reconstructions to depict anatomic detail s of the labyrinth. METHODS. In 24 volunteers, 3D TSE images were obtained. MIPs and 3D volume reconstructions were performed from the acquired data. All images were eval uated by three radiologists independently regarding the visualization of th e different anatomic structures. RESULTS. In the axial slices, most anatomic details were visible in compari son with observations by the other modalities. The 2.5 windings of the coch lea were best depicted on the MIPs, Volume reconstructions rendered excelle nt spatial information regarding the vestibule and semicircular canals and were the only technique that demonstrated all three ampullae in all cases. CONCLUSIONS. Axial TSE images, MIPs, and 3D volume reconstructions are comp lementary modalities that provide different information. Our results sugges t that improved diagnostic information can be obtained by applying these vo lume visualization reconstruction techniques.