We propose to develop high resolution (250-500 mum) magnetic resonance imaging techniques to study small anatomic details of the inner ear. Radiographic detection of inner ear pathology in patients with sensorineural hearing loss has significant therapeutic implications, yet until recently high resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) was the primary means for such examinations. The major disadvantage of HR-CT is that it can only delineate the osseous margins of the otic capsule, but fails to visualize the internal soft tissue features of the membranous labyrinth and neural structures. MRI has the tremendous advantage of displaying soft tissue structures. Since many of the inner ear structures are very small in size (tenth of a millimeter to several millimeters) ultra high resolution imaging with sufficient contrast is required. To achieve this goal two novel three dimensional (3D) image acquisition methods, specialized hardware and image reconstruction techniques will be developed. The proposed acquisition pulse sequences are 1) 3D gradient echo imaging with very short TR<20ms and TE<4ms and 2) fast 3D Driven Equilibrium Fourier Transformation (DEFT) obtaining three signals per TR interval. Very short TE are obtained by using reduced phase encode times. Short TR will be achieved by using a head sized z-gradient coil providing higher gradient field strength. To obtain highest S/N at 4-5cm depth for inner imaging, different multi-coil arrays will be developed. Image reconstruction algorithms will be optimized. This includes evaluation of different phase correction methods producing improved image quality for partial echo data. Phase correction also permits noise-reduced real, rather than magnitude, representation of images. The new modalities will be carefully evaluated in phantom studies and studies of normal volunteers and subsequently applied to study patients with sensorineural hearing loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
1R29DC001646-01A1
Application #
3461883
Study Section
Diagnostic Radiology Study Section (RNM)
Project Start
1993-07-01
Project End
1998-06-30
Budget Start
1993-07-01
Budget End
1994-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Ohio State University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
098987217
City
Columbus
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
43210
Schmalbrock, P; Chakeres, D W; Monroe, J W et al. (1999) Assessment of internal auditory canal tumors: a comparison of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and steady-state T2-weighted gradient-echo MR imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 20:1207-13
Dailiana, T; Chakeres, D; Schmalbrock, P et al. (1997) High-resolution MR of the intraparotid facial nerve and parotid duct. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 18:165-72
Kurucay, S; Schmalbrock, P; Chakeres, D W et al. (1997) A segment-interleaved motion-compensated acquisition in the steady state (SIMCAST) technique for high resolution imaging of the inner ear. J Magn Reson Imaging 7:1060-8
Schmalbrock, P; Dailiana, T; Chakeres, D W et al. (1996) Submillimeter-resolution MR of the endolymphatic sac in healthy subjects and patients with Meniere disease. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 17:1707-16
Ying, K; Clymer, B D; Schmalbrock, P (1996) Adaptive filtering for high resolution magnetic resonance images. J Magn Reson Imaging 6:367-77
Welling, D B; Clarkson, M W; Miles, B A et al. (1996) Submillimeter magnetic resonance imaging of the temporal bone in Meniere's disease. Laryngoscope 106:1359-64
Oehler, M C; Chakeres, D W; Schmalbrock, P (1995) Reformatted planar 'Christmas tree' MR appearance of the endolymphatic sac. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 16:1525-8
Schmalbrock, P; Pruski, J; Sun, L et al. (1995) Phased array RF coils for high-resolution MRI of the inner ear and brain stem. J Comput Assist Tomogr 19:8-14
Ying, K; Schmalbrock, P; Clymer, B (1995) Echo-time reduction for submillimeter resolution imaging with a 3D phase encode time reduced acquisition method. Magn Reson Med 33:82-7
Monroe, J W; Schmalbrock, P; Spigos, D G (1995) Phased array coils for upper extremity MRA. Magn Reson Med 33:224-9

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