Delayed intravenous contrast-enhanced 3D FLAIR MRI in Meniere's disease: correlation of quantitative measures of endolymphatic hydrops with hearing

Clin Imaging. 2015 Jan-Feb;39(1):26-31. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2014.09.014. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

Abstract

Objective: Using three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI), our goal was to correlate quantifiable measures of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) with auditory function in the setting of Meniere's disease (MD).

Materials and methods: Forty-one ears were analyzed in 21 subjects (12 ears with MD, 29 without MD). Vestibular endolymphatic space size measurements obtained with two different techniques were referenced against clinical data.

Results: EH was better evaluated on 3D maximum intensity projections (MIPs) than on two-dimensional (2D) images. Using MIPs, quantitative assessments EH correlated with severity of hearing impairment.

Conclusion: 3D MIPs were superior to 2D images for evaluating EH in the setting of MD.

Keywords: 3D FLAIR; Endolymphatic hydrops; Inner ear; Meniere's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ear, Inner / pathology*
  • Ear, Inner / physiopathology
  • Endolymphatic Hydrops / pathology*
  • Endolymphatic Hydrops / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Hearing / physiology*
  • Hearing Tests
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Meniere Disease / pathology*
  • Meniere Disease / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged