Journal of Imaging
Temporal Evolution of Contrast Enhancement in Cranial Nerves: Insights from Heavily T2-Weighted 3D FLAIR Imaging
Par Iichiro Osawa, Keita Nagawa, Hirokazu Shimizu et 2 autres.
Contenu en anglais
Résumé
Background
Cranial nerve enhancement is traditionally assessed with T1-weighted imaging, but heavily T2-weighted 3D FLAIR (HT2-FLAIR) imaging offers greater sensitivity to subtle T1 shortening. This study aimed to assess contrast enhancement of the oculomotor, trigeminal, and facial nerves using HT2-FLAIR imaging.
Methods
This retrospective repeated-measures cohort study included 33 patients. We subjectively assessed contrast enhancement of the cisternal segments of these three cranial nerves across precontrast, postcontrast, and 4 h delayed postcontrast HT2-FLAIR images and objectively evaluated serial changes in the signal intensity ratio (SIR)—the ratio of each structure’s signal intensity to that of the pons—for the oculomotor and trigeminal nerves, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces, and choroid plexus.