Ultra-High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Inner Ear at 11.7 Tesla

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the ability of ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-MRI) at 11.7 Tesla to visualize membranous structures of the human inner ear. Specimens Three temporal bones were extracted from cadaveric human heads for use with small-bore UHF-MRI. Intervention Ex vivo cadaveric temporal bone specimens were imaged using an 11.7 T MRI scanner via T1- and T2-weighted-imaging with and without contrast. Main Outcome Measure Qualitative visualization of membranous components of the inner ear compared with reports of UHF-MRI at lower field strengths. Results The membranous anatomy of the inner ear was superbly visualized at 11.7 T. In the cochlea, Reissner’s membrane, the scala media, and the basilar membrane were clearly shown on the scan. In the vestibular labyrinth, the wedge-shaped crista ampullaris and the maculae of both the saccule and utricle were visible. Details of the endolymphatic sac and duct were also demonstrated. Conclusion To our knowledge, this report presents the first images of the ex vivo human inner ear using 11.7 T UHF-MRI, offering near-histologic resolution. Increased field strength may be particularly useful when imaging the delicate membranous anatomy of the inner ear. Further research on the use of UHF-MRI in clinical and research settings could illuminate structural changes associated with inner ear disorders.

Three-dimensional study of vestibular anatomy as it relates to the stapes footplate and its clinical implications: an augmented reality development

“…The methods, including details about the scanning parameters, have been described in detail in earlier publications 2 , 3 . Data analysis was conducted with VGStudio Max CT software, versions 1 and 2.…”

“…The anatomy of the membranous labyrinth and its effect on disease processes is extremely difficult to study given the limited access to the otic capsule. Advances in imaging tools, such as micro computed tomography (CT) technology 1 , 2 and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, 3 , 4 allow new perspectives of this anatomy, with relevance to current and future interventions.…”

Ultrahochfeld-MRT am Hühnerembryo in ovo – ein Modell für die experimentelle Ophthalmologie

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Investigation of inner ear anatomy in mouse using X‐ray phase contrast tomography

“…The same limitation applies to two other imaging methods that provide images of in vitro inner ear specimens, namely, orthogonal plane fluorescence optical sectioning microscopy (Hofman, Segenhout, & Wit, ; Santi, Rapson, & Voie, ; Voie, ; Voie, Burns, & Spelman, ; Voie & Spelman, ) and thin‐sheet laser imaging microscopy (Buytaert et al, ; Kopecky, Duncan, et al, ; Kopecky, Johnson, Schmitz, Santi, & Fritzsch, ; Lo et al, ). For in vivo imaging of the inner ear, high‐field MRI (Counter et al, ; Thylur, Jacobs, Go, Toga, & Niparko, ; van Egmond, Visser, Pameijer, & Grolman, ; van Egmond, Visser, Pameijer, & Grolman, ; Zou et al, ) and optical coherence tomography (Cho, Jang, Jung, & Kim, ; Subhash et al, ) have been attempted, but their resolution was limited for some inner ear micro‐structures, such as the SM and the UM.…”