[High resolution MR imaging of the inner ear apparatus using 3D-Fast spin echo sequence].

To evaluate the efficacy of high resolution MR imaging of the inner ear with 3D-Fast spin echo sequence, one volunteer and 12 patients were imaged with a 1.5 T MR scanner. High resolution T2-weighted images were obtained with a head coil in 13 minutes, and the voxel size was 0.39mm x 0.45mm x 1.2mm in most subjects. Original images and maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of the inner ear were evaluated. On original images, the endolymphatic duct was visualized in 72% of subjects, the cochlear aqueduct in 96%, three branches of the cranial nerves in the internal auditory canal in 100%, and flow void of the vessel in the cerebellopontine angle in 100%. On MIP images, more than two cochlear turns were visualized in 92% of subjects, three semicircular canals in 100%, and the anterior and posterior ampulla in 100%. MR imaging of the inner ear with 3D-Fast Spin Echo sequence provides a variety of useful information regarding the anatomy around the inner ear.