The Usefulness of the 3-D Overlapped Reconstruction MR Angiographic Technique in Patients with Hemifacial Spasm - A Preliminary Study

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the applicability of the new three-dimensional overlapped reconstruction MR angiography (3-D ORMRA) technique in patients with hemifacial spasm and to compare the new 3-D reconstruction images with conventional MRA source images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 27 patients with surgically proven hemifacial spasm. In all patients, conventional MRA source images and 3-D fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) images were obtained prospectively. After 3-D MR angiographic images were obtained, the 3-D MRA and FIESTA images were overlapped at the workstation by using GE A/W 4.2 add/sub software. We analyzed the relationship between the offending vessels and root exit zone of the facial nerve using both 3-D ORMRA images and conventional MRA source images. RESULTS: In 25 of 27 patients, the offending vessel at the REZ of the facial nerve could be correctly identified on conventional MRA source images. In all patients, the presumed offending vessels depicted by the overlapped 3-D reconstruction MRA image corresponded well with the intraoperative findings. The 3-D reconstruction image showed more clear visualization of the spatial relationship between the offending vessels and the root exit zone of the facial nerve. CONCLUSION: The overlapped 3-D reconstruction MR angiography technique is very useful and informative in patients with hemifacial spasm, as compared with conventional MRA angiography technique.