Internal auditory meatus vascular loops and vestibulocochlear neurovascular contact on MRI: Are they associated with pulsatile tinnitus?

Objectives: To compare the presence of internal auditory meatus vascular loops (IVLs) or vestibulocochlear neurovascular contact (CN8-NVC) between unexplained unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (PT) ears and contralateral asymptomatic ears. Furthermore, to investigate whether IVL depth or angulation, or CN8-NVC location is associated with the presence of PT.

Materials And Methods: Single-centre retrospective case-controlled study of patients undergoing three-dimensional T2-weighted MRI for unexplained unilateral PT from January 2012 to July 2021.

The Association of Vascular Loops within the Internal Auditory Meatus or Contacting the Vestibulo-Cochlear Nerve with Audiovestibular Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Intrameatal vascular loops (IVL) entering the internal auditory meatus and neurovascular contact (NVC) with the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve [CN] VIII) have been proposed to have a relationship with audiovestibular symptoms.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether the presence of IVLs and CN VIII NVC on MRI is associated with tinnitus, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), or vertigo and any specific subtypes.

Data Sources: All studies comparing the presence of IVL or CN VIII NVC in ears with these audiovestibular symptoms and controls were identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials databases.

ESR Essentials: imaging of middle ear cholesteatoma-practice recommendations by the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology.

Although non-malignant, middle ear cholesteatoma can result in significant complications due to local bone erosion and infection. The treatment of cholesteatoma is surgical, but residual disease is common and may be clinically occult, particularly when the canal wall is preserved or reconstructive techniques are employed. Imaging plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with middle ear cholesteatoma-aiding clinical diagnosis, identifying complications, planning surgery, and detecting residual disease at follow-up.

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of cochlear and vestibular nerve calibre: a case-control study in Ménière's disease and endolymphatic hydrops.

Purpose: To compare the calibre of the cochlear (CN), superior vestibular (SVN) and inferior vestibular (IVN) nerves on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), both between Ménière's Disease (MD) ears and clinical controls, and between inner ears with and without endolymphatic hydrops (EH) on MRI.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study evaluated patients undergoing MRI for suspected hydropic ear disease from 9/2017 to 8/2022. The CN, SVN, IVN and facial nerve (FN) diameters and cross-sectional areas (CSA) were measured on T2-weighted sequences whilst EH was evaluated on delayed post-gadolinium MRI.

Localisation of the petrous internal carotid artery relative to the vidian canal on computed tomography: a case-control study evaluating the impact of petroclival chondrosarcoma.

Background: The vidian canal (VC) is normally a reliable anatomical landmark for locating the petrous internal carotid artery (pICA). This study determined the influence of petroclival chondrosarcoma on the relationship between the VC and pICA.

Methods: Nine patients (3 males, 6 females; median age 49) with petroclival chondrosarcoma, and depiction of the pICA on contrast-enhanced CT, were retrospectively studied.

New and Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnostic Imaging Techniques in the Evaluation of Cranial Nerves and the Skull Base.

The skull base and cranial nerves are technically challenging to evaluate using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, owing to a combination of anatomic complexity and artifacts. However, improvements in hardware, software and sequence development seek to address these challenges. This section will discuss cranial nerve imaging, with particular attention to the techniques, applications and limitations of MR neurography, diffusion tensor imaging and tractography.

Imaging of Developmental Skull Base Abnormalities.

The skull base is a critical structure in the craniofacial region, supporting the brain and vital facial structures in addition to serving as a passageway for important structures entering and exiting the cranial cavity. This paper will review and highlight some of the embryology, developmental anatomy, including ossification, and related abnormalities of the anterior, central and posterior skull base using illustrative cases and tables. Pathologies such as dermoids/epidermoids, cephaloceles, nasal gliomas, glioneuronal heterotopias, various notochordal remnants, persistent craniopharyngeal canal, teratomas, platybasia, basilar invagination, clival anomalies and Chiari malformations will be discussed.

Imaging of the Vestibular Schwannoma: Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Treatment Planning.

Appropriate imaging strategies for the detection, treatment planning, and posttreatment monitoring of vestibular schwannomas will be discussed. The typical and variant imaging appearances of vestibular schwannomas, as well as the imaging features that should prompt consideration of differential diagnoses, will be illustrated. Understanding the natural history of vestibular schwannomas, optimal measurement and definition of tumour growth helps the radiologist evaluate for the failure of conservative management and requirement for surgery or radiotherapy.

Neurosurgical Approaches to the Skull Base: A Guide for the Radiologist.

Skull base surgery relies on the assessment of detailed neuroimaging studies to assist with surgical planning. We review typical neuroimaging features associated with common neurosurgical skull base approaches, highlighting relevant imaging anatomy and pertinent postoperative imaging appearances.

Role of Thyroidectomy in Recurrent Laryngeal Carcinoma.

Objective: Management of recurrent laryngeal cancer presents a major challenge, and salvage laryngectomy is complicated by previous oncologic treatments. Thyroidectomy as part of salvage laryngectomy adds a nonnegligible degree of morbidity. The purpose of this study is to assess the rate of thyroid gland invasion in patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy to determine relevant predictive factors.

Utilization of SEMAC-VAT MRI for Improved Visualization of Posterior Fossa Structures in Patients With Cochlear Implants.

Objective: The number of cochlear implant (CI) users is ever increasing worldwide, as is the utilization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a key diagnostic modality for pathology of the brain and surrounding structures. Despite advances in MRI compatibility with CI, metal artefact remains a significant issue that needs to be addressed. We test our hypothesis that the slice encoding for metal artefact correction and view angle tilting (SEMAC-VAT) metal artefact reduction technique improves demonstration of posterior fossa structures on MRI in CI recipients.

Head and neck manifestations of granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare autoimmune condition which causes respiratory tract granulomas, small to medium vessel vasculitis and renal disease. Head and neck manifestations are some of the most common presentations of the condition, with a significant proportion of patients experiencing sinonasal disease alone. The recognition of suggestive imaging findings, in combination with clinical history and serology, aids the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Localization of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Within the Pterygopalatine Fossa on Computed Tomography Angiography-A Potential Role in the Setting of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Microstimulator Implantation.

Objectives: A recent approach to treatment of cluster headaches (CH) employs a microstimulator device for on-demand neuromodulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) during an acute CH attack. A precise anatomical localization of the SPG within the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is optimal in order to position the SPG electrode array. This study aims to investigate a novel approach for SPG localization using computed tomography angiographic studies (CTA).

Recent advances in MRI of the head and neck, skull base and cranial nerves: new and evolving sequences, analyses and clinical applications.

MRI is an invaluable diagnostic tool in the investigation and management of patients with pathology of the head and neck. However, numerous technical challenges exist, owing to a combination of fine anatomical detail, complex geometry (that is subject to frequent motion) and susceptibility effects from both endogenous structures and exogenous implants. Over recent years, there have been rapid developments in several aspects of head and neck imaging including higher resolution, isotropic 3D sequences, diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor imaging as well as permeability and perfusion imaging.

The characteristics of 76 atypical neurofibromas as precursors to neurofibromatosis 1 associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Background: Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) leads to the development of benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). MPNST have been described to develop in preexisting benign plexiform neurofibromas (PN) and have a poor prognosis. Atypical neurofibromas (ANF) were recently described as precursor lesions for MPNST, making early detection and management of ANF a possible strategy to prevent MPNST.

Diagnostic efficacy and therapeutic impact of computed tomography in the evaluation of clinically suspected otosclerosis.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic efficacy and therapeutic impact of CT in evaluating patients with clinically suspected otosclerosis.

Methods: CT scans performed over a 5-year period for clinically suspected otosclerosis were retrospectively reviewed. CT diagnoses were correlated with subsequent surgical management.

The Skull Base in the Evaluation of Sinonasal Disease: Role of Computed Tomography and MR Imaging.

The median anterior and central skull base forms an interface between the sinonasal and intracranial compartments. Due to the proximity of the intracranial structures, skull base involvement is a key assessment when evaluating the spread of sinonasal disease. This review describes the pertinent anatomy and the role of computed tomography and MR imaging in evaluating the median anterior and central skull base.

Role of thyroidectomy in advanced laryngeal and pharyngolaryngeal carcinoma.

Objective: Total thyroidectomy (TThy) or hemithyroidectomy (HThy) in conjunction with a total laryngectomy (TL) or pharyngolaryngectomy (PL) for laryngeal carcinoma often results in hypothyroidism requiring life-long thyroid hormone replacement. The aims were to determine the incidence of thyroid gland (TG) invasion in patients undergoing TL or TPL with TThy or HThy for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma and to assess predicative factors.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Hippocampal volume and cognitive function in anorexia nervosa.

We hypothesised that hippocampal volume would be reduced in underweight anorexia nervosa (AN) and associated with impaired hippocampus-dependent cognitive function. Hippocampal and whole brain volumes were measured in 16 women with AN and 16 matched healthy women using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a manual tracing method. Participants also completed the Doors and People Test of hippocampus-dependent memory and an IQ test.