Abstract

Aim: The objective of the present study was to assess the role of 3D constructive interference in steady state (CISS) MR imaging sequence of evaluation of cranial nerve lesions in comparison with other MR imaging sequences.
Methods: The present study was conducted at Dr. D Y Patil Medical College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra from September 2020 to August 2023 and 70 patients were included in the study. Approval of institutional ethics committee was acquired before the initiation of the study.
Results: Most of the patients we encountered were within the age group of 31-60 years wherein there were 36 patients. Less than 30 years were 16 patients and more than 60 years were 18 cases. In the parameter lesion picked up CISS picked up in 20 cases, MPRAGE in 24 cases and T2, T1 in 0 cases. MPRAGE having a 100% pick up rate and CISS having 83%. In the parameter lesion picked up CISS picked up in 46 cases, MPRAGE in 40 cases, T2 in 34 and T1 in 34 cases. CISS had the best pick up rate with 100%. Overall, when we compare the MR sequences combining both the etiologies CISS was better in picking up the lesion, in assessing the signal intensity changes, in knowing the encasement of nerve and change in course of nerve. Only MPRAGE was better than CISS in identifying the enhancement characteristics of the nerve.
Conclusion: The CISS sequence is extraordinarily beneficial for assessing cranial nerve disorders. CISS sequencing revealed lesions in 83.3% of patients with an inflammatory etiology and 100% of those with a non-inflammatory cause. MPRAGE has detected lesions in 100 percent of instances with an inflammatory origin and in 87 percent of cases with an inflammatory aetiology. CISS sequence demonstrates neurovascular conflict with a 100 percent sensitivity rate. T2W and T1W sequences lack inflammatory etiologies and neurovascular conflict.