Contrast enhancement of the inner ear after intravenous administration of a standard or double dose of gadolinium contrast agents.

CONCLUSION

Imaging of the endolymphatic space was possible in most cases after administering a standard dose of gadolinium (Gd) by using heavily T2-weighted 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (hT(2)W-3D-FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to characterize the contrast enhancement in the inner ear after intravenous injection of Gd and to compare the signal intensity after a double dose or standard dose of Gd.

METHODS

We injected a standard dose of gadodiamide hydrate (DTPA-BMA) or a double dose of gadoteridol (HP-DO3A) intravenously in patients affected by Meniere's disease and performed hT(2)W-3D-FLAIR 3 T MRI. Contrast enhancement of the basal turn of the cochlea was evaluated semiquantitatively.

RESULTS

Endolymphatic hydrops was observed in the cochlea and vestibule of the affected ears of patients with Meniere's disease in both the double-dose group and the standard-dose group.