Tongue displacement: visualization with rapid tagged magnetization-prepared MR imaging

The authors describe a technique to depict tongue muscle displacement with tagged magnetization-prepared gradient-recalled echo magnetic resonance imaging. Three Japanese volunteers (three men, aged 31-36 years) were studied while they articulated specific sounds. Each image was obtained in less than 2 seconds without need for gating. Displacement and alteration of the tags within the tongue muscle during phonation were clearly visible. The technique may prove useful in the study of phoniatric pathophysiology.