Radial spoiled gradient T1 weighted imaging of the internal auditory canal: Is Scarpa’s ganglion now an expected finding and source of fundal enhancement?

Abstract

StarVIBE is a 3D gradient-echo sequence with a radial, stack-of-stars acquisition having spatial resolution and tissue contrast. With newer sequences, it is important to be familiar with sequence tissue contrasts and appearance of anatomical variants. We evaluated 450 patients utilizing this sequence; 35 patients demonstrated fluffy “cotton wool” enhancement at the internal auditory canal fundus without clear pathology. We favor this represents anatomic neurovascular enhancement that StarVIBE is sensitive to and is a touch-me-not finding.