Gadolinium enhanced 3D proton density driven equilibrium MR imaging in the evaluation of cisternal tumor and associated structures: comparison with balanced fast-field-echo sequence

Although Gadolinium enhanced bFFE is commonly used to evaluate cisternal tumors, banding artifact may interrupt interpretation and adjacent nerve and vessels differentiation is known to be difficult. We analyzed the qualities of Gd enhanced 3D PDDE in the evaluation of cisternal tumors, comparing with bFFE. Forty five cisternal tumors (33 schwannoma and 12 meningioma) on both bFFE and PDDE were retrospectively reviewed. For quantitative analysis, contrast ratios of CSF to tumor and tumor to parenchyma (CRC/T and CRT/P) on both sequences were compared by paired t-test. For qualitative analysis, the readers gauged the qualities of the two MR sequences with respect to the degree of demarcating cisternal structures (tumor, basilar artery, AICA, trigeminal nerve, facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerve). In quantitative analysis, CRC/T and CRT/P on 3D PDDE was significantly lower than that of 3D bFFE (p < 0.01). In qualitative analysis, basilar artery, AICA, facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerves were significantly better demarcated on 3D PDDE than on bFFE (p < 0.01). The degree of demarcation of tumor on 3D PDDE was not significantly different with that on 3D bFFE (p = 0.13). Although the contrast between tumor and the surrounding structures are reduced, Gd enhanced 3D PDDE provides better demarcation of cranial nerves and major vessels adjacent to cisternal tumors than Gd enhanced bFFE.