Accuracy of MR neurography as a diagnostic tool in detecting injuries to the lingual and inferior alveolar nerve in patients with iatrogenic post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy.

OBJECTIVES: MR neurography has the ability to detect and depict peripheral nerve injuries. This study evaluated the potential of MR neurography in the diagnosis of post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy. METHODS: Forty-one participants prospectively underwent MR neurography of the lingual and inferior alveolar nerves using a 3D TSE STIR black-blood sequence. Two blinded and independent observers recorded the following information for each nerve of interest: presence of injury, nerve thickness, nerve signal intensity, MR neurography Sunderland class, and signal gap. Afterwards, the apparent nerve-muscle contrast-to-noise ratio and apparent signal-to-noise ratio were calculated. Clinical data (neurosensory testing score and clinical Sunderland class) was extracted retrospectively from the medical records of patients diagnosed with post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy. RESULTS: Compared to neurosensory testing, MR neurography had a sensitivity of 38.2% and specificity of 93.5% detecting nerve injuries. When differentiated according to clinical Sunderland class, sensitivity was 19.1% in the presence of a low class injury (I to III) and improved to 83.3% in the presence of a high class (IV to V). Specificity remained unchanged. The area under the curve using the apparent nerve-muscle contrast-to-noise ratio, apparent signal-to-noise ratio, and nerve thickness to predict the presence of an injury was 0.78 (p < .05). Signal intensities and nerve diameter increased in injured nerves (p < .05). Clinical and MR neurography Sunderland scores positively correlated (correlation coefficient = 0.53; p = .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that MR neurography can accurately differentiate between injured and healthy nerves, especially in the presence of a more severe nerve injury. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: MR neurography is not only able to detect trigeminal nerve injuries, but it can also provide information about the anatomical specifications of the injury, which is not possible with clinical neurosensory testing. This makes MR neurography an added value in the management of post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy. KEY POINTS: • The current diagnosis of post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy is mainly based on clinical examination. • MR neurography is able to visualize and stratify peripheral trigeminal nerve injuries. • MR neurography contributes to the diagnostic process as well as to further decision-making.

Imaging of trochlear nerve schwannomas: a case series and systematic review of the literature.

Purpose Trochlear nerve schwannomas are rare tumors. So far, only 121 cases have been published. We present four new cases, discuss the imaging characteristics and summarize all previously published cases through a systematic review.Methods Four cases, all treated in AZ Sint-Jan Hospital Brugge-Oostende (Belgium), were collected, including their demographic, clinical and radiological data. All MR imaging was performed with the three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR), turbo spin echo T1 high-resolution (TSE T1 HR), three-dimensional balanced fast-field echo (3D b-FFE) and three-dimensional T1 black blood (3D T1 black blood) sequence. We compared our findings with the present literature through a systematic literature review in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.Results Screening with routine unenhanced 3D-FLAIR imaging could identify all schwannomas as hyperintense lesions on the course of the trochlear nerve. The use of 3D T1 black blood sequences was superior in depicting the lesions, while high-resolution 3D b-FFE images enabled us to visualize the anatomic boundaries of the lesions in detail. Most trochlear schwannomas are located in the ambient cistern, at or just below the free edge of the tentorium.Conclusion The majority of trochlear nerve schwannomas are located cisternal and display variable enhancement on contrast administration. 3D-FLAIR imaging is superior in detecting these lesions. Comparison with data collected from previous cases demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Generally, patients with trochlear nerve schwannomas have a good prognosis.

Stage shift and relative survival for head and neck cancer during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study of temporal trends.

Objective: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, non-essential health services were suspended in Belgium, and the public was ordered to socially isolate. Underdiagnosis of cancer during this period was reported worldwide. Certain risk factors for head and neck cancer (HNC) overlap with those for COVID-19 incidence and mortality, making underdiagnosis and subsequent stage shift of this potentially rapidly progressing cancer a major concern. We aimed to analyze incidence, clinical stage at presentation, and survival of patients diagnosed with HNC in 2020 in Belgium, considering recent temporal trends. Methods: Using population-based data from the Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR), we extrapolated 2017-2019 trends in incidence, clinical stage, and 1-year relative survival (1yRS) of HNC to create an expected value for 2020 and compared this to the observed value. Results: There were 9.5% fewer HNCs diagnosed in 2020, compared to the predicted incidence. Underdiagnosis was larger for males (-11.8%), patients aged 50-64 (-11.2%) and 65-79 (-11.1%), and for oral cavity cancer (-17.6%). Shifts to more advanced stages were observed in larynx and oropharynx tumors and for (male) patients aged 80+. A 2.4 percentage point decline in 1yRS was observed, relative to the increasing trends in 1yRS (2017-2019). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic led to underdiagnosis of HNC, resulting in shifts to more advanced stage at presentation in certain subgroups. A stage shift can be expected for the 9.5% of tumors not yet diagnosed at the end of 2020. HNC patients diagnosed in 2020 suffered higher than expected mortality.

Rim lesions in MS at 3T: clinical correlation and possible radiological alternatives for daily practice at lower field strength.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) have been described as an imaging feature specific to multiple sclerosis (MS) using high-field strength phase-sensitive MR imaging. These lesions are suggested to reflect chronic active inflammation associated with greater disease severity and a more rapid disability progression. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between PRLs, clinical parameters, other radiological findings and disease progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included MS patients treated with teriflunomide, fingolimod, natalizumab or ocrelizumab for at least 2 years. PRLs seen at 3T MRI were analysed and correlated with clinical data and radiological progression, defined as an increase of the T2/FLAIR-lesion load during therapy. In the search for alternatives for these PRLs, we defined two additional radiological markers: 'FLAIR-bullet lesions', and on post-contrast black-blood (BB) images, 'BB-bullet lesions'. RESULTS: We included 84 MS patients of whom 27 (32 %) had at least 1 PRL. PRLs were associated with radiological progression under therapy (p=0.039) and higher clinical disability scores, although only significant for 9-Hole Peg Test (p=0.023). Patients with FLAIR-bullet or BB-bullet lesions at 3T MRI had a higher chance of PRL (p<0.001) with a likelihood ratio of 13.2 for FLAIR-bullets and 12.6 for BB-bullet lesions, thanks to the high negative predictive value of respectively 83 % and 90 %. CONCLUSION: PRLs are associated with an increase of T2/FLAIR-lesion load under therapy and unfavourable clinical outcome. Our newly defined 'bullet lesions' are associated with PRLs and might be an interesting MRI marker for centres without access to high-field SWI images.

Temporomandibular Joint Herniation into the External Auditory Canal.

Teaching point: Always ask a patient to open and close their mouth when you see a mass protruding into the external auditory canal, as to not miss this rare anomaly.

3D CRANI, a novel MR neurography sequence, can reliable visualise the extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerves.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to validate 3D CRANI, a novel high-field STIR TSE, MR neurography sequence in the visualisation of the extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerve branches on a 3-T system. Furthermore, we wish to evaluate the role of gadolinium administration and calculate nerve benchmark values for future reference. METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients underwent MR imaging including the 3D CRANI sequence before and immediately after intravenous gadolinium administration. Two observers rated suppression quality and nerve visualisation using Likert scales before and after contrast administration. Extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerves were assessed. Nerve calibers and signal intensities were measured at predefined anatomical landmarks, and apparent signal intensity ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The assessed segments of the cranial and occipital nerves could be identified in most cases. The overall intrarater agreement was 79.2% and interrater agreement was 82.7% (intrarater κ = .561, p < .0001; interrater κ = .642, p < .0001). After contrast administration, this significantly improved to an intrarater agreement of 92.7% and interrater agreement of 93.6% (intrarater κ = .688, p < .0001; interrater κ = .727, p < .0001). Contrast administration improved suppression quality and significant changes in nerve caliber and signal intensity measurements. Nerve diameter and signal intensity benchmarking values were obtained. CONCLUSION: 3D CRANI is reliable for the visualization of the extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerves. Intravenous gadolinium significantly improves MR neurography when applying this sequence. Benchmarking data are published to allow future assessment of the 3D CRANI sequence in patients with pathology of the extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerves. KEY POINTS: • MR neurography using the 3D CRANI sequence is a reliable method to evaluate the extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerves. • Gadolinium contrast administration significantly improves suppression quality and nerve visualisation. • Benchmarking values including apparent signal intensity ratios and nerve calibers depend on contrast administration and might play an important role in future studies evaluating extraforaminal cranial and occipital neuropathies.

Correlation of semi-quantitative findings of endolymphatic hydrops in MRI with the audiometric findings in patients with Meniere's disease.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between vestibular hydrops (VH), cochlearhydrops (CH), vestibular aqueduct non-visibility (VANV), and visually increased perilymphatic enhancement (VIPE) with the findings of pure-tone audiometry (PTA) in Meniere's disease (MD) patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 53 ears belonging to 48 patients were divided into two groups and evaluated. In group "MD patients," there were 24 ears of 19 patients diagnosed with the definite MD (14 patients with unilateral and 5 patients withbilateral involvements). The "control group" consisted of 29 non-symptomatic ears belonging to patients diagnosed with unilateral sudden sensory-neural hearing loss or unilateral schwannoma. All the patients underwent 2 sessions of temporal bone MRI using the same 3T system: an unenhanced axial T1, T2, and 3D-FLAIR MRI, an intravenous gadolinium-enhanced axial T1 fat-sat, and 4 h after the injection, an axial 3D-T2 cube and 3D-FLAIR session. VH, CH, VANV, and VIPE were assessed. Subsequently, the correlation between EH indices and PTA findings (in three frequency domains of low, middle, and high) were evaluated, and the predictive value of MRI was calculated. Results: VH was significantly correlated with the hearing threshold in the low, middle, and high-frequency domains. CH was also correlated with the hearing threshold in the low and middle domains. Contrarily, VIPE was not associated with hearing thresholds, and VANV was only correlated with the hearing threshold in low frequencies. Conclusion: The grade of VH, CH, and VANV were significantly correlated with the hearing thresholds in PTA.

Comparison between 3D SPACE FLAIR and 3D TSE FLAIR in Menière's disease.

PURPOSE: Heavily T2-weighted 3D FLAIR (hT2w-3D-FLAIR) sequence with constant flip angle (CFA) has been reported as being more sensitive to low concentrations of gadolinium (Gd) enabling endolymphatic hydrops (EH) visualization. The purpose of this study was to compare signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio, detection rate of EH, and increased perilymphatic enhancement (PE) as well as diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing definite Menière's disease (MD), using 3D-SPACE FLAIR versus conventional 3D-TSE FLAIR. METHODS: This retrospective study included 29 definite MD patients who underwent a 4-h delayed intravenous (IV) Gd-enhanced 3D-TSE FLAIR and 3D-SPACE FLAIR MRI between February 2019 and February 2020. MR images were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed twice by 2 experienced head and neck radiologists. Qualitative assessment included grading of cochlear and vestibular EH and visual comparison of PE. Quantitative assessment of PE was performed by placing a region of interest (ROI) and ratio calculation in the basal turn of the cochlea and the brainstem. RESULTS: The intra- and inter-reader reliability for grading of EH and PE was excellent (0.7 < kappa < 0.9) for 3D-SPACE FLAIR and exceeded the values for 3D-TSE FLAIR (0.5 < kappa < 0.9) The combination of EH and visual assessment of PE has the highest diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing definite MD on 3D-SPACE FLAIR with a sensitivity of 0.91 and a specificity of 0.98 resulting in a sensitivity raise of 6% compared to 3D-TSE FLAIR. CONCLUSION: Four-hour delayed IV Gd-enhanced 3D-SPACE FLAIR sequence has a higher sensitivity and reproducibility than 3D-TSE FLAIR for the visualization of EH and increased PE in definite MD patients.

Diagnosis of Menière's disease on MRI: feasibility at 1.5 Tesla.

BACKGROUND: Menière's disease (MD) is clinically characterized by the triad sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and/or aural fullness, and vertigo. Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) is the histopathological basis associated with MD, which can be demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Currently, most studies are done on a 3-T MRI scanner and to date it is believed that EH can only be demonstrated on a 3-T magnet. We report the feasibility of demonstrating EH on a 1.5-T scanner using the standard 20-channel head and neck coil and the current standard 4-h delayed intravenous gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) sequence. PURPOSE: To investigate whether current standard 4-h delayed intravenous gadolinium-enhanced 3D-FLAIR imaging can demonstrate endolymphatic hydrops on a 1.5-T MRI scanner. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 3D-FLAIR sequence was taken from a 3-T MRI protocol and tested on a volunteer patient with clinically "definite" MD, after 4-h delayed intravenous contrast injection. Good image quality was obtained after reducing both the matrix and the bandwidth, with clear demonstration of EH. Subsequently, eight more patients with unilateral disease were imaged. Five patients had "definite" MD and four had "probable" MD. RESULTS: We imaged nine patients with unilateral disease and detected EH in eight of nine ears. One patient with "probable" MD did not show any abnormality, but the images were degraded by motion artifacts. CONCLUSION: At a cost of 2 min extra scanning time compared to a 3-T scanner, EH can be confidently demonstrated with the current standard 3D-FLAIR sequence on a 1.5-T magnet.

Radiological Follow-up After the Bony Obliteration Tympanoplasty in Detecting Residual Cholesteatoma: Towards an Optimal Postoperative MR Imaging Protocol.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: There is no consensus in literature on the most optimal follow-up imaging protocol for non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (non-EP DW MRI) after the canal wall-up bony obliteration tympanoplasty. Clearly, no residual cholesteatoma should be missed but on the other hand, unnecessary MR controls should be avoided. The aim of this study is to evaluate the postoperative results of non-EP DW MRI after canal wall-up bony obliteration tympanoplasty surgery at our Institute and to propose an optimal postoperative MR imaging scheme based on our data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study; all 271 patients who underwent the bony obliteration tympanoplasty between January 2010 and January 2016 with follow-up at our Institute were included. A postoperative MR imaging was systematically performed at 1 year after surgery and repeated at either 5 or both 3 and 5 years after surgery, based on the preferences of the surgeon. Variables of interest were retrieved from electronic patient records. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 60 months (inter-quartile range 56-62 mo). Two hundred seventy-one patients (100%) received a 1-year MRI, 107 (39%) a 3-year MRI, and 216 (79.7%%) a 5-year MRI. Residual cholesteatoma was found in nine cases (3.3%), corresponding with an estimated residual rate at 5 years follow-up of 3.7% when using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Of these nine cases, six cases of residual cholesteatoma (66.7%) were detected at the 1-year MRI (12-14 mo postsurgery), two cases (22.2%) at the 3-year MRI (35-39 mo postsurgery), and one case (11.1%) at the 5-year MRI (51 mo postsurgery, in this patient no 3-year MRI was performed). An uncertain MRI result was found in 15 cases, presenting as relatively hyperintense lesions. However, subsequent follow-up scans did not show persistent evidence for residual disease in 14 of these 15 cases. CONCLUSIONS: A postoperative MRI scan after 1 and 5 years is essential to detect early and late residual cholesteatoma. In our cohort, 22.2% of residual cases were detected at the 3-year MRI. However, this percentage could potentially have been higher when all patients would have received a 3-year MRI. Therefore, in order to detect residual disease as soon as possible, we propose to perform an MRI scan at 1, 3, and 5 years after the bony obliteration tympanoplasty. In cases with an unclear MR result, we suggest a repeat MRI after 12 months.

Smoldering lesions in MS: if you like it then you should put a rim on it.

PURPOSE: In multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic active/smoldering white matter lesions presenting with hypointense rims on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) of the brain have been recognized as an important radiological feature. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of paramagnetic rim lesions (RLs) in MS patients in a clinical setting and to assess differences in demographic and clinical variables regarding the presence of RLs. METHODS: All 3 T brain magnetic resonance (MR) studies performed in MS patients between July 2020 and January 2021 were reviewed. In all patients, RLs were assessed on three-dimensional (3D) SWI images and the T2 FLAIR lesion load volume was assessed. Demographic, laboratory (oligoclonal bands in CSF), and clinical data, including functional status with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), were retrieved from the clinical files. RESULTS: Of the 192 patients, 113 (59%) presented with at least 1 RL. In the RL-positive group, the mean RL count was 4.81 ranging from 1 to 37. There was no significant difference in the number of RLs between the different types of MS (p = 0.858). Regarding the presence of RLs, there were no significant differences based on gender (p = 0.083), disease duration (p = 0.520), treatment regime (p = 0.326), EDSS score (p = 0.103), and the associated T2 FLAIR lesion load volume. CONCLUSION: SWI RLs were frequently detected in our cohort regardless of the MS type, T2 FLAIR lesion load volume, demographic features, disease duration, or clinical score. Our results suggest that RLs are not associated with more severe forms of the disease. Today, RLs can be seen on 3 T 3D SWI, although this is not a clinical standard sequence yet. Therefore, it should be considered an additional helpful MR sequence in the diagnostic workup of MS, although more studies are warranted to establish the role of RLs as prognostic markers.

Alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis: A retrospective analysis of occult hemorrhagic magnetic resonance imaging lesions and risk factors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alemtuzumab, a monoclonal CD52 antibody, is a high-efficacy disease-modifying-therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Recently, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was reported as a possible treatment-related adverse event. Arterial hypertension during infusion was suggested as a potential cause, although platelet or endothelial dysfunction may also contribute. This study aimed to screen for occult hemorrhagic cerebral lesions after alemtuzumab treatment and to further elucidate risk factors. METHODS: We included 30 RRMS patients who received alemtuzumab treatment at Ghent University Hospital or Sint-Jan Bruges Hospital. Retrospective data concerning vital signs, adverse effects and thrombocyte levels during treatment were collected. The occurrence of occult intracranial hemorrhagic lesions was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging with susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) systolic blood pressure (SBP) during the morning, afternoon and evening was 120 (3.38) mmHg during first administration and 114 (4.40) mmHg during second administration (N = 13). There was no significant increase in SBP when comparing morning, afternoon and evening per day, nor was there a significant difference in daily mean SBP between consecutive administration days. Thrombocyte count during treatment cycles ranged between 107 × 109 /L and 398 × 109 /L, with a mean (SD) absolute reduction of 59.3 × 109 /L (50.65) or a mean (SD) relative reduction of 25.0 (12.84)% (N = 20). No patient had ICH, nor did SWI show any cerebral microbleeds or other hemorrhagic lesions post-treatment (N = 23). CONCLUSIONS: In our patient population, alemtuzumab treatment was not associated with arterial hypertension, ICH or occult microbleeds. Possible differences in administration regimen (ambulatory vs. in-hospital setting) and patient population (cardiovascular risk) might explain an increased risk in different populations.

The Diagnostic Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Posttraumatic Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain.

AIMS: To evaluate the diagnostic value of non-nerve-selective MRI sequences in posttraumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain (PTNP). METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed all MRI protocols performed between February 2, 2012 and June 20, 2018 commissioned by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were extracted from the records of patients with an MRI in the context of PTNP. A contingency table was constructed based on the opinions of the treating physician and the radiologist who initially evaluated the MRI. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 27 women (65.9%) and 14 men (34.1%). The sensitivity and negative predictive value of MRI in PTNP were 0.18 and 0.77, respectively. Artifacts interfered with visualization of a possible cause of the trigeminal pain in 24.4% of MRIs. Almost all artifacts (90%) were caused by metal debris originating from the causal procedure or posttraumatic surgeries. MRI resulted in changed management for PTNP patients only once. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of non-nerve-selective MRI sequences for PTNP is low and has little impact on clinical management. Therefore, there is a need for dedicated sequences with high resolution and low artifact susceptibility for visualizing the posttraumatic injuries of the trigeminal branches.

The relationship between cochleovestibular function tests and endolymphatic hydrops grading on MRI in patients with Menière's disease.

PURPOSE: In this retrospective study the relationship between cochleovestibular function and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-) based classification system of endolymphatic hydrops was investigated. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with unilateral definite Menière's disease who underwent MRI were included. The parameters of Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA), caloric irrigation test, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and video Head Impulse Test were compared between the grades of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and perilymphatic enhancement (PE) on MRI. RESULTS: The low-frequency PTA was significantly different between cochlear EH grades I and II (p = 0.036; Grade I: mean (Standard Deviation, SD) = 51 decibel Hearing Level (dB HL) (18 dB HL); Grade II: mean (SD) = 60 dB HL (16 dB HL)), and vestibular EH grades 0 and III (p = 0.018; Grade 0: mean (SD) = 43 dB HL (21 dB HL); Grade III: mean = 60 dB HL (10 dB HL)). The ipsilateral caloric sum of ears with vestibular EH grade I (n = 6) was increased with regards to vestibular EH grades 0 (p = 0.001), II (p < 0.001), and III (p < 0.001) (Grade 0: mean (SD) = 24°/s (15°/s); Grade I: mean (SD) = 47°/s (11°/s); Grade II: mean (SD) = 21°/s (13°/s); Grade III: mean (SD) = 16°/s (8°/s)). CONCLUSION: According to these results we can conclude that only the highest grades of cochlear and vestibular EH seem to be associated with decreased cochleovestibular functioning.

Magnetic resonance neurography of the head and neck: state of the art, anatomy, pathology and future perspectives.

Magnetic resonance neurography allows for the selective visualization of peripheral nerves and is increasingly being investigated. Whereas in the past, the imaging of the extracranial cranial and occipital nerve branches was inadequate, more and more techniques are now available that do allow nerve imaging. This basic review provides an overview of the literature with current state of the art, anatomical landmarks and future perspectives. Furthermore, we illustrate the possibilities of the three-dimensional CRAnial Nerve Imaging (3D CRANI) MR-sequence by means of a few case studies.

A systematic review on diagnostic test accuracy of magnetic resonance neurography versus clinical neurosensory assessment for post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy in patients reporting neurosensory disturbance.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review of published studies on diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) vs clinical neurosensory testing (NST) for post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN) in patients reporting neurosensory disturbances (NSD). METHODS: Human studies except case reports, reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were consulted. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Predetermined data extraction parameters were noted and summarized. RESULTS: 8 studies met eligibility criteria of which 7 were retrospective, representing 444 subjects. Most studies were at high risk of bias with low applicability concerns. Populations and objectives were divergent with a large variation in timing (3 days-17 years post injury) and parameters (multiple coil designs, fat suppression techniques, additional contrast agent) of MRI acquisition. T2 weighted 3 T imaging with short echo times (2.2-100 ms) and fat suppression was applied in seven studies, techniques varied. Determination of sensitivity and specificity could not be performed due to the methodological variation between studies and lacking comparative data between index and reference tests. Based on limited data, PTTN correlated reasonably well between clinical assessment, intraoperative findings and MRN abnormalities (k = 0.57). Increased signal intensity correlated with persistency of neurosensory disturbances in one study. Intra- (ICC 0.914-0.927) and interobserver (k = 0.70-0.891) MRN variability was considered good to excellent. One retrospective study showed substantial impact of MRN on clinical decision making in one-third of patients. CONCLUSION: Currently, there is insufficient scientific knowledge to support or refute the use of MRN. Based on limited data, MRN seems promising and reliable in detection and grading of PTTN. Methodological issues underline the importance for prospective blinded studies with standardization of signal intensity calculation and rigorous reporting of MRI acquisition parameters.

Labyrinthine enhancement on 3D black blood MR images of the brain as an imaging biomarker for cisplatin ototoxicity in (lung) cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy can present with ototoxicity symptoms. The purpose of this work is to report the imaging features related to cisplatin ototoxicity. METHODS: Between December 2015 and March 2019, a cohort of 96 consecutive patients with lung cancer was selected. Only patients who received cisplatin chemotherapy and underwent an imaging protocol consisting of a Gd-enhanced 3D-BB and 3D-T1W sequence, as well as T2W sequence to exclude metastases, were included. Labyrinthine enhancement was assessed, and all findings regarding the auditory and vestibular function were retrieved from the clinical files. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. The Gd-enhanced 3D-BB images were used to divide them into the labyrinth enhancement group (LEG) and the labyrinth non-enhancement group (LNEG). None of these patients demonstrated enhancing regions on the 3D-T1W images. The labyrinthine fluid remained high on the T2 images in all patients, excluding metastases. The LEG consisted of 6 patients. The cochlea and semicircular canals were the most frequently affected regions. All the LEG patients that presented with hearing loss (4/6) had cochlear enhancement. Patients with normal hearing had no cochlear enhancement. Five patients (5/6) showed vestibular enhancement. Four of these patients had vestibular symptoms. CONCLUSION: Labyrinthine enhancement as an imaging feature related to cisplatin ototoxicity is unreported. This study demonstrates a correlation between hearing loss and cochlear enhancement and also between vestibular impairment and vestibular/semicircular enhancement on 3D-BB images, which remained invisible on the 3D-T1W images. The labyrinthine enhancement on 3D-BB images in the presence of normal signal intensity of the intralabyrinthine fluid can be used as an imaging biomarker for cisplatin toxicity in daily clinical practice and should not be mistaken for intralabyrinthine metastases.

Hearing Loss in Malignant Infantile Osteopetrosis: A Case-Based Review.

Osteopetrosis, or marble bone disease, is a rare genetic disease of bone resorption. It includes a clinically heterogeneous group of conditions that are characterized by increased bone density on radiographs due to a defect in osteoclasts. A most common feature of osteopetrosis of the temporal bone is hearing impairment. This case-based review describes the potential otologic and hearing manifestations of malignant infantile osteopetrosis. The hearing loss can be conductive, sensorineural, late-onset or relapsing. Once the diagnosis is made, referral to an ENT physician for hearing evaluation is indicated. Although otitis media with effusion is the most frequent cause of conductive hearing loss with autosomal recessive osteopetrotic patients, audiometry after tympanostomy tube placement to check for additional causes of hearing loss is highly recommended. As otological manifestations may worsen over time, accurate and regular follow-up by audiometry is necessary. According to our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature of dehiscent jugular bulb in a patient with osteopetrosis.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography Imaging in Dental Implants: A Primer for Clinical Radiologists.

With the introduction of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) into dentistry in the 1990s, radiologists have become more frequently involved in dental implant planning. This article describes the information that should be included in a radiology report to achieve a successful implantation. The justification to use CBCT during the preoperative planning phase is based on the need to evaluate patient-specific anatomy in detail (general condition of the jaw, bone quantity, and bone quality), the application of more advanced surgical techniques (maxillary sinus augmentation procedure, zygomatic implants), and the integrated presurgical planning and virtual patient approach. Postoperatively, CBCT is used when implant retrieval is anticipated and two-dimensional radiographs have not provided sufficient information, for evaluation of graft healing, or to assess complications, mostly related to neurovascular trauma.