Reformatted planar 'Christmas tree' MR appearance of the endolymphatic sac.

Abstract

A high-resolution three-dimensional Fourier transform technique and prototype bilateral dual phased-array surface coil technique was used to make inner ear structures visible on MR. Multiplanar reformatted images, parallel to the plane of the vestibular aqueduct, allowed viewing of the entire endolymphatic sac/vestibular aqueduct on one section, producing a "Christmas tree" shape. The reformation was obtained using a double oblique angle, 45 degrees from true sagittal and 70 degrees from the orbital-meatal axis.