Morphological and functional MR imaging of the pharyngotympanic tube

To develop and evaluate a protocol for the anatomic depiction and functiona l testing of the auditory tube with the use of MR imaging. Methods: Eleven volunteers were included into this study. For the morphological assessment, the imaging protocol included axial and coronal T-2-weighted turbo-spin ec ho sequences (T-R/T-E = 3194/100 ms) and a T-1-weighted gradient echo seque nce (T-R/T-E = 42/4.6 ms). For the functional test a dynamic turbo-gradient echo sequence (TFE) with spectral fat suppression (T-R/T-E=15/6,2 ms; 4sec ) was obtained using the single slice technique before and during the Valsa lva manoeuvre. Results: With multi-slice sequences, the osseous part of the auditory tube, the tubal cartilage (middle and lateral lamina), the ciliat ed epithelium, Ostmann's adipose body and the levator and tensor veli palat ini muscles were delineated in all cases. During the Valsalva test, opening of the auditory tube was demonstrated in 20 of the 22 investigated sides u sing the dynamic TFE single slice sequence. Conclusions: The introduced MRI protocol allow visualization of the opening of the auditory tube and provi des detailed anatomical information of the nasopharynx. Comprehensive morph ological and functional evaluation of the auditory tube becomes possible wi thin a single examination'.