Table 1.

Qualitative criteria for comparing image quality of TGSE and RESOLVE (b1000) sequences

Image sharpness (anatomical structures: nasal sinus, ear, brain)

1. Completely unclear 2. Generally visible 3. Clearly visible

Geometric distortion ① Cholesteatoma (size and border) ② Whole image 1. Severe distortion 2. Moderate distortion 3. Mild distortion 4. No distortion

Ghosting artifacts (interface of cholesteatoma and the temporal lobe) 1. Severe artifact, unable to distinguish lesions and normal tissues 2. Moderate artifact, part of the lesion can be distinguished from normal tissues 3. Mild artifact, no impact on lesion diagnosis 4. No artifact

Overall image quality 1. Nondiagnostic 2. Barely diagnosis 3. Diagnostic 4. Good 5. Excellent