Head and neck: initial clinical experience with fast spin-echo MR imaging.

Fast spin-echo (FSE) is a new magnetic resonance (MR) imaging pulse sequence that employs echo trains of 180 degrees radio-frequency pulses to generate multiple refocused echoes during a single repetition-time interval. Phase encoding is reordered with the lowest spatial frequency views obtained in the echoes nearest the desired effective echo time. These techniques were used to examine 30 patients with pathologic conditions of the head and neck. The images were compared with closely matched conventional T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) images obtained during the same examination. Three unblinded readers evaluated 15 sets of both images for lesion conspicuity, motion artifact, diagnostic information, number of lesions seen, image quality, and sharpness of lesion borders. In all categories, FSE images were judged better than or equal to SE images, and in most cases FSE images were obtained in one-fourth to one-half the imaging time. In no case were lesions depicted on conventional T2-weighted SE images missed on FSE images; in fact, more lesions were seen on FSE images than on conventional T2-weighted SE images.

Extracranial head and neck: PET imaging with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and MR imaging correlation.

The aim of this study was to define and quantitate the normal anatomy of the extracranial head and neck with 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). This information was used to study 12 patients with primary squamous cell carcinomas. In all cases, the lymphoid tissue of the Waldeyer ring and the palatine and lingual tonsils could be differentiated from the airway, striated muscle, osseous structures, and salivary glands. Striated muscle had markedly less activity than lymphoid or salivary gland tissue. In the 12 patients with primary tumors, FDG PET depicted the tumor as an area of increased activity significantly higher than that of normal tissue. In one instance, FDG PET allowed detection of a tumor not seen at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or computed tomography. Of the 34 lymph nodes positive for carcinoma, 24 were positive according to MR size criteria and 25 were detected with FDG PET. FDG PET allowed detection of three nonenlarged metastatic nodes that were negative at MR imaging.

Computed tomography versus standard radiography in the assessment of fractures of the mandible.

Twenty-nine fractures of the mandible were studied by standard radiographs and axial computed tomographic scans (hard copy). Independent reviewers analyzed each study in a blinded, non-paired fashion. When radiographic diagnostic sensitivities were compared on the basis of known surgical findings, the plain films were found to have a higher diagnostic sensitivity (89%) than the hard copy computed tomograms (64%). This difference occurred primarily with images of nondisplaced fractures in posterior portions of the mandible, and is likely the result of tomographic orientation and volume averaging. Though computed tomography has emerged as the standard diagnostic test in evaluating intracranial and maxillofacial trauma, this study demonstrates that computed tomographic scanning alone is inadequate in excluding nondisplaced fractures of the posterior mandible.

Fat-suppression failure artifacts simulating pathology on frequency-selective fat-suppression MR images of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: To describe fat-suppression failure artifacts and to caution against their misinterpretation. METHOD: Magnetic-susceptibility artifacts were studied in a phantom model and the results were compared to MR images obtained in clinical cases. FINDINGS: Artifacts manifested themselves as regions of focal fat-suppression failure and appeared as bright signals without geometric distortions at magnetic-susceptibility interfaces along the static field (z) direction. The location and extent of these artifacts were independent of either frequency or phase-encoding direction and are different from those observed in gradient-echo images. CONCLUSIONS: In representative clinical MR exams, these artifacts were identified in the high nasopharynx and low orbit and should not be misinterpreted as pathology.

MR imaging-guided interstitial Nd:YAG laser phototherapy: dosimetry study of acute tissue damage in an in vivo model.

A dosimetry study of acute tissue damage induced by interstitial application of the neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was performed with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The MR appearance of the lesion was correlated with gross and histopathologic findings. Seventy-six lesions were induced in rabbit muscle with laser power outputs of 5-20 W and exposure times of 20-600 seconds. MR imaging was performed immediately after laser exposure. T2-weighted spin-echo images clearly showed the acute thermal injuries caused by laser energy deposition and correlated best with histopathologic findings. These images showed three distinct layers, corresponding to central ablation, coagulative necrosis, and interstitial edema, respectively, in the pathologic findings. Lesion diameters measured on MR images showed a linear correlation with those in gross sections. Lesion volume increased not only with increasing total energy delivered but with increasing power output for a fixed total energy delivered. MR imaging is an accurate modality for dosimetry studies of laser-induced acute lesions.

Nonneoplastic enhancing lesions mimicking intracanalicular acoustic neuroma on gadolinium-enhanced MR images.

The authors describe five patients with nonneoplastic lesions of the facial and/or vestibulocochlear nerves that demonstrated focal enhancement within the internal auditory canal on magnetic resonance (MR) images. MR and surgical findings for four patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and one with Ramsay Hunt syndrome were reviewed. Three patients with hearing loss underwent surgical exploration and decompression of the internal auditory canal. The MR findings in all four patients with hearing loss were similar: Focal enhancement of the internal auditory canal was depicted on postcontrast T1-weighted images. Nonneoplastic lesions of the seventh and eighth cranial nerves may show focal enhancement on MR images, which mimics the appearance of a small intracanalicular neuroma. This potential for misdiagnosis may have important therapeutic implications.

Meckel cave lesions: percutaneous fine-needle-aspiration biopsy cytology.

The authors describe the novel combination of two traditional methods to facilitate diagnosis of Meckel cave lesions, which may otherwise require craniotomy to obtain adequate tissue samples. Fine-needle-aspiration biopsy cytology was performed on tissue obtained with a percutaneous approach via the foramen ovale with use of fluoroscopic guidance and intravenous analgesia during an outpatient procedure. This new application of fine-needle-aspiration biopsy cytology results in decreased patient morbidity and significant cost reduction.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the tongue and oropharynx.

In general, MRI produces superior soft tissue detail in evaluating the tongue and oropharynx than does CT. MRI is therefore considered the study of choice in this area. Lack of artifact from dental amalgam and beam hardening artifact from the mandible on MRI also eliminates two major shortcomings of CT in the examination of this area. Finally, the ability of MRI to obtain direct coronal and sagittal scan planes is a distinct advantage in recognizing intrinsic tongue musculature and assessing tumor volume and spread for treatment planning.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the larynx.

The development of appropriate surface coils has resulted in outstanding depiction of the laryngeal anatomy using MRI. The multiplanar capability of MR allows superior definition of anatomy and tumor extent compared with CT scanning. MR appears to be more effective in detecting cartilage invasion. MR is as effective as CT in defining adenopathy and extension into the carotid sheath. MRI is therefore the primary modality in imaging the larynx.

Magnetic resonance imaging of metastatic cervical adenopathy.

Detecting cervical adenopathy is critical in the management of carcinomas in head and neck. CT scanning remains a very effective modality in defining adenopathy. T1-weighted MRI scans are comparable to CT in detecting lymph nodes. T2-weighted images are less useful as the lymph nodes tend to have long T2 relaxation times similar to the surrounding fat. MR has not proved to be useful in detecting carcinoma in non-enlarged cervical nodes. The morphologic criteria developed for metastatic nodes with CT are appropriate with MRI (size, shape, signal, extracapsular spread). Gadolinium is sometimes useful in defining central necrosis in metastatic squamous cell adenopathy.

Interventional magnetic resonance imaging in the head and neck.

Interventional MRI is clearly in its early stages of development. While the value of MR-guided aspiration cytology and MR evaluation of deep electrode implantation in the brain has already been confirmed with human clinical studies, the future of MR-guided interstitial laser therapy remains to be proven. Despite this, as we look ahead into the 1990s and the millennium, it is possible to imagine dedicated MR laser therapy units for combined radiological and surgical outpatient approaches in what may become the operating rooms of the 21st century.

Evaluation of mandibular tumor invasion with magnetic resonance imaging.

Evaluating the extent of tumor invasion of the mandible is clinically important in the management of mandibular tumors. Conventional imaging studies including panoramic radiography, bone scans, and computed tomography, as well as clinical evaluation can be unreliable in defining the extent of neoplastic marrow invasion. This study presents the initial UCLA, Los Angeles, Calif, experience with magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating mandibular invasion by benign and malignant neoplasms. Magnetic resonance imaging, using T1 and T2 images, was compared with conventional imaging methods in 11 patients with malignant lesions and nine patients with benign lesions. In all cases, magnetic resonance imaging most accurately determined the full extent of tumor invasion in the mandibular marrow spaces. Magnetic resonance imaging appears to be superior to offer clear benefits over conventional imaging methods, including computed tomography, for the evaluation of tumor invasion of the mandible.

Advances in medical imaging.

The field of medical imaging, stimulated by advances in digital and communication technologies, has grown tremendously. New imaging techniques that reveal greater anatomical detail are available in most diagnostic radiology departments. We discuss vascular imaging with ultrasound, high-resolution computed tomography of the thorax, magnetic resonance imaging applications, and picture archiving and communication systems. Vascular imaging with ultrasound requires duplex and color flow Doppler, which combine gray-scale ultrasound and the Doppler phenomenon. High-resolution computed tomography modifies conventional computed tomography technology and results in images with higher spatial resolution. Magnetic resonance imaging applications for all areas of the body are being investigated and are replacing older roentgenographic techniques such as computed tomography, arthrography, myelography, and even angiography in a growing number of indications. With these new digital imaging modalities, image management has become an important consideration that can be addressed by picture archiving and communication systems.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the facial nerve.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the facial nerve was evaluated by studying normal volunteers and patients with diseases of the facial nerve with a 0.3 Tesla permanent-magnet MRI system with special surface coils. The normal MR images were correlated with the anatomy of thin cryosection specimens of fresh cadavers. The seventh nerve was followed from its nucleus in the brainstem through the temporal bone to the parotid gland bed. The entire labyrinth and tympanic portions, as well as the geniculate ganglion, could be shown with appropriate scan planes. Examples of brainstem diseases affecting the facial nerve and nucleus, facial neuromas, parotid tumors involving the facial nerve, and other diseases were studied. MRI is a technique that allows unique evaluation of the entire course of the facial nerve. It produces superior images of the facial nerve with high-contrast resolution. Unlike computed tomography, there is no beam-hardening artifact from the temporal bone or exposure to ionizing radiation and contrast agents. MRI also allows visualization of the main trunks of the facial nerve in the parotid bed not possible with any other imaging technique.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the larynx.

Rarely does any radiologic imaging modality play a significant role in reaching a diagnosis of malignancy in the larynx and hypopharynx. These regions are so readily accessible to clinical examination that the combination of cytology and visual inspection usually strongly indicates the diagnosis of cancer. Therefore, the primary role of MR is the same as that of CT in imaging the larynx and hypopharynx: to define the extent of the disease. Compared to CT, MR consistently shows superior soft tissue definition. The use of direct coronal and sagittal scan planes allows the visualization of intrinsic laryngeal musculature in addition to better defining cranial caudal tumor extension. Thus, MR is now the imaging study of choice for the evaluation of cancer of the larynx. The role of MR can also be extended to replace CT scanning in the evaluation of the laryngeal airway and benign lesions of the larynx.

The role of gadolinium-DTPA in the evaluation of extracranial head and neck mass lesions.

Based on our experience with 28 patients, there is good evidence that gadolinium-enhanced MR will be useful in evaluation of skull base involvement, sinus involvement, or intracranial extension by neoplasms that involve the neck above the hard palate. This region has historically been a difficult area to image with any modality, because of the detailed anatomy and numerous important structures that traverse it. Gadolinium-enhanced MR should provide a valuable tool in the evaluation and management of these patients. The evidence that gadolinium is useful in staging of primary and nodal squamous cell carcinoma of the extracranial head and neck is less apparent. Areas where gadolinium may be helpful include size and extent of primary tumor and internal architecture of nodes that do not meet size criteria for malignant adenopathy. This is an area in which more experience is necessary, employing careful correlation with enhanced CT, unenhanced MR, and surgical specimens. Posttreatment follow-up of head and neck squamous cell lesions is a potential use for gadolinium, but this too is yet to be adequately studied. We have found that gadolinium enhancement provides no additional information important to the management of benign head and neck lesions over enhanced CT or unenhanced MR.

MR-directed needle biopsies.

New generation stainless steel alloys have enabled the development of needles which can be used for MR-guided biopsies. Biopsy under MR guidance has the advantages of greater tissue contrast resolution, lack of ionizing radiation, and variable angle oblique imaging planes. The biopsy approaches and imaging techniques are described.