High-resolution quantitative imaging of the inner ear using 3D Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting

Motivation: Quantitative high-resolution mapping of the inner ear (IE) can potentially elucidate pathologies (e.g. hearing loss, vertigo) that elude manifestation in conventional images. Goal(s): Addressing the shortage in literature concerning quantitative methods for IE, we targeted the development of a 3D multiparametric mapping sequence with 500μm isotropic resolution to capture delicate microanatomy and relaxometric information. Approach: With the developed high resolution, volumetric Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting sequence, we measured synthetic IE fluids and in-vivo. Results: The method successfully generated high-resolution quantitative maps. Compared to in-vivo, synthetic fluids exhibited longer T2 values. Aggregate relaxometric results for manually segmented fluid reservoirs were consistent with existing sparse literature. Impact: High-resolution 3D imaging of the IE with joint morphometry and relaxometry as demonstrated in this preliminary work has the potential to supplant the collection of existing methods and may help to better elucidate IE pathologies with non-shape altering, inflammatory etiologies.