Rofo 2009; 181 - A2
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1124033

Detailed imaging of the jugular foramen and its content at 3 Tesla MRI

J Linn 1, F Peters 1, B Moriggl 2, TP Naidich 3, H Brückmann 1, I Yousry 1
  • 1Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Munich, Munich/Germany
  • 2Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck/Austria
  • 3Department of Radiology, Section of Neuroradiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York/USA

Purpose: We aimed to assess how well the anatomy of the jugular foramen (JF), its contents, and adjacent structures could be displayed at 3 Tesla by use of a contrast-enhanced fast imaging employing steady state acquisition sequence (CE-FIESTA) and a contrast-enhanced MR-angiographic sequence (CE-MRA).

Materials and Methods: 25 patients without any skull base lesions were imaged on a 3 Tesla MR scanner (Signa, General Electrics, USA) using CE-FIESTA and CE-MRA. Two readers analysed the images in collaboration (i) to score the success with which these sequences depicted the glossopharyngeal (CNIX) and vagus (CNX) nerves, their ganglia, and the spinal root of the accessory nerve (spCNXI) within the jugular foramen and (ii) to establish landmarks for identifying these structures.

Results: CE-FIESTA and CE-MRA displayed CNIX in 90% and 100% of cases, respectively, CNX in 94% and 100%, and spCNXI in 51% and 0% of cases. The superior ganglion of CNIX (supCNIX) was discernible in 89.8% and 87.8%, the inferior ganglion of CNIX (infCNIX) in 73% and 100%, and the superior ganglion of CNX (supCNX) in 98% and 100% of cases. Landmarks useful for identifying these structures were the inferior petrosal sinus, and the external opening of the cochlear aqueduct.

Conclusion: This study protocol performed at 3 Tesla is excellent for displaying the complex anatomy of the jugular foramen and related structures. It should be helpful for identifying pathology of the region, formulating a differential diagnosis, and planning a surgical approach to the JF.