Extracranial facial nerve imaging in parotid surgery candidates. Could 1.5 T MRI be beneficial?

Abstract Background and aim Despite improvements in the imaging modalities, optimal protocol for extracranial facial nerve using 1.5 T MRI is still debatable. Pre-operative mapping of could provide valuable information surgeons. The current study aimed to evaluate choose proper protocols segment pre-op imaging. Patients methods Extracranial nerves on tumoral normal side 19 patients (38 nerves) were imaged by MRI, five sequences including T1-weighted, T2-weighted, T1-weighted-fat-saturated with contrast, Three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted 3D T2-weighted. visibility each three segments (the main trunk, cervicofacial temporofacial divisions terminal branches) sequence was assessed. Results On side, 1 2 identifiable all 3 89.5% both T2-weighted sequences. 1, 89.5, 84.2 68.4% patients, respectively, showed significant improvement visualizing its branches compared routine Conclusions Our favourable results branches. We believe used this be as a pre-operative method MRI.