Kurata N, Kawashima Y, Ito T, Fujikawa T, Nishio A, Honda K, Kanai Y, Terasaki M, Endo I, Tsutsumi T. Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sheds Light on the Distinct Pathophysiology of Various Types of Acute Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
Otol Neurotol 2023:00129492-990000000-00324. [PMID:
37400150 DOI:
10.1097/mao.0000000000003930]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with advanced protocols in patients with various types of acute sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL).
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case review.
SETTING
Tertiary referral center.
PATIENTS
Two hundred eighty-seven patients with ASNHL.
INTERVENTIONS
All patients underwent MRI scanning, including heavily T2-weighted three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery before and 4 hours after the intravenous administration of gadolinium contrast medium (delayed 3D-FLAIR). A hybrid of the reversed image of the positive endolymph signal and the native image of the perilymph signal image was constructed to visualize the endolymphatic space.
RESULTS
The detection rates of abnormal MRI findings vary significantly among different types of ASNHL. A hyperintense signal on delayed 3D-FLAIR was observed in all patients with intralabyrinthine schwannoma or vestibular schwannoma and 20.5% of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) but was rarely observed in definite Ménière's disease (MD, 2.6%). In contrast, endolymphatic hydrops (EH) was frequently observed in patients with definite MD (79.5%) but was observed much less frequently in patients with ISSNHL (11.0%). In patients with cochlear MD and ALHL, detection rates of cochlear EH were similar to those with definite MD, whereas detection rates of vestibular EH were significantly lower than in patients with definite MD.
CONCLUSIONS
The significantly different detection rates of abnormal MRI findings among various types of ASNHL shed light on the distinct pathophysiology of each disorder. A diagnosis based on MRI findings with advanced protocols may help select treatment strategies and provide prognostic information for patients.
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