[Detection and grading of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease using 3D FLAIR MRI].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the extent of endolymphatic hydrops as shown by three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D FLAIR MRI) performed 24 hours after bilateral intratympanic gadolinium administration and discuss the positive rate of endolymphatic hydrops in vestibule and cochlea.

METHOD: Twenty-four hours after bilateral intra-tympanic 8 times diluted gadolinium administration, three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI, using a three-Tesla unit, was performed in 48 patients, and then assessed the extent of endolymphatic hydrops in the MRI images.

RESULT: Forty-eight patients showed different levels of enhancement of perilymth in the inner ear. In these patients, obvious signs of endolymphatic hydrops were visualized in vestibule,including 8 slight hydrops, 17 mild hydrops and 23 severe hydrops with a diagnostic rate of 83.3%. There were almost no complications in all 48 patients after bilateral intra-tympanic injection except short vertigo in some of them.

CONCLUSION

3D FLAIR MRI resonance imaging has a high positive diagnostic rate in assessing endolymphatic hydrops of Ménière's disease and provides direct imaging evidence for diagnosing Ménière's disease.