Temporal bone MRI with 3D-FIESTA in the evaluation of facial and audiovestibular dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporal bone using three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (3D-FIESTA) sequences in patients with facial and audiovestibular dysfunction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the MR images of 1263 patients who presented with hearing loss (n=429), peripheral facial palsy (n=96), tinnitus (n=341) or vertigo (n=397). There were 605 men and 658 women, with a mean age of 46.97±16.95 (SD) years (range: 2-83 years). Positive MRI findings that were responsible for clinical manifestations in individual patients were categorized according to the anatomic sites and etiologies of the lesions. RESULTS: Positive MRI findings possibly responsible for clinical manifestations were found in 232/1263 (18.37%) patients, including 86/429 (20.05%) patients with hearing loss, 21/96 (21.88%) patients with facial palsy, 62/341 (18.18%) patients with tinnitus, and 63/397 (15.87%) patients with vertigo. CONCLUSION: Although the use of MRI of the temporal bone using 3D-FIESTA shows positive findings in only 18.37% of patients, it provides important information in those with facial and audiovestibular dysfunction. However, for patients with normal MRI of the temporal bone, other etiological factors should be investigated in order to clarify or elucidate the cause of clinical manifestations.

Petrous apex cephalocoele: contribution of coexisting intracranial pathologies to the aetiopathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to show the MRI findings of petrous apex cephalocoele (PAC) and the other intracranial pathologies that coexist with PAC, and to discuss the contribution of the co-existing pathologies to aetiopathogenesis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of our imaging archive for the period from January 2012 to October 2013 revealed 13 patients with PAC (12 females and 1 male; age range, 26-69 years). 11 patients underwent MRI examination of the cranium, and 2 patients underwent MRI examination of the sellar region. We evaluated the lesions for content, signal intensity, enhancement, relation to petrous apex and Meckel's cave. Images were also evaluated for coexisting pathologies. RESULTS: The presenting symptoms included headache, vertigo, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and trigeminal neuropathy. All patients had PAC. All lesions were located posterolateral to the Meckel's cave and were isointense with CSF signal on all pulse sequences. All lesions were continuous with Meckel's cave. Coexisting pathologies included intracranial aneurysmal dilatation, empty sella, mass in hypophysis, arachnoid cyst, inferior herniation of parahippocampal gyrus and optic nerve sheath CSF distension. CONCLUSION: Coexistence with other intracranial pathologies supports the possibility of CSF imbalance and/or intracranial hypertension in the aetiopathogenesis of PAC. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study examined the contribution of the co-existing intracranial pathologies to the aetiopathogenesis of PAC.

The Correlation between Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Histopathological Evaluation of 356 Prostate Biopsy Sites in Patients with Prostatic Diseases.

Purpose. The aim of this study is to investigate the reliability of diffusion MRI for detection of cancer foci by comparing diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) results and pathology results of prostate biopsy sites. Methods. Of the patients who applied with lower urinary tract symptoms, 36 patients who had suspected DRE and/or PSA ≥2.5 ng/mL were included in the study. Patients underwent DWI prior to 10 cores-prostate biopsy. 356 biopsy cores were obtained from the patients. Foci from the patients with prostate cancer were labeled as malignant or benign foci, likewise foci from the patients with benign pathology were grouped as BPH and inflammation foci. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of biopsy groups were compared with each other in order to measure the reliability of DWI in detection of PCa foci. Results. When ADC values of adenocarcinoma foci and BPH foci were compared, a statistically significant difference was found (P < 0.001). When ADC values obtained from adenocarcinoma foci and chronic inflammation foci are compared, the difference between two groups is statistically significant, too (P < 0.001). Conclusions. Biopsies focused on suspected regions after formation of ADC maps by means of DWI would provide to start definitive treatment immediately as well as being beneficial to prevent morbidity related to repeated prostate biopsies.