Accuracy of 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intracochlear schwannoma

Tadao Yoshida; Michihiko Sone; Shinji Naganawa; Tsutomu Nakashima

doi:10.1016/j.anl.2010.12.011

Accuracy of 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intracochlear schwannoma

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2011 Aug;38(4):551-4. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2010.12.011. Epub 2011 Jan 19.

Authors

Tadao Yoshida¹, Michihiko Sone, Shinji Naganawa, Tsutomu Nakashima

Affiliation

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. tadaoy@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp

PMID: 21251775
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2010.12.011

Abstract

Intracochlear schwannomas (ICSs) are rare tumors. The diagnosis of ICS is based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which should be used for the accurate determination of the location of tumors. Recent advancements in imaging technologies and software enable the precise regional diagnosis of ICS. We experienced a case of intracochlear schwannoma with a diagnosis of progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. Audiometry revealed severe hearing loss in the right ear with remaining low-frequency hearing. MRI showed an abnormal lesion in the cochlea. Three-dimensional real inversion recovery (3D rIR) and constructive interference in steady state (CISS) MRI revealed the size and shape of the tumor via identification of the cochlear nerve and cochlear fluid space. CISS and 3D rIR sequences provide useful information regarding the boundaries of tumors and the tissues that surround them.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Audiometry
Cochlear Nerve*
Female
Hearing Loss / diagnosis
Hearing Loss / etiology
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Microscopy, Electron
Neuroma, Acoustic / complications
Neuroma, Acoustic / diagnosis*
Neuroma, Acoustic / surgery
Otologic Surgical Procedures
Rare Diseases
Tinnitus / etiology
Young Adult