Endolymphatic hydrops revealed by intravenous gadolinium injection in patients with Ménière's disease.

CONCLUSION

Visualization of endolymphatic hydrops became possible after intravenous gadolinium (Gd) injection in patients with Ménière's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To visualize endolymphatic hydrops after intravenous Gd injection.

METHODS

Gd (gadoteridol; 0.2 mmol/kg) was injected intravenously in three patients with unilateral Ménière's disease. We performed three-dimensional fluid attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) and three-dimensional real inversion recovery (3D-real IR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 4 h after the injection using a 3-Tesla MRI unit. We used a 32-channel array coil to obtain a high signal-to-noise ratio.

RESULTS

Endolymphatic hydrops was observed in the ears of patients with Ménière's disease. However, Gd concentration in the perilymph was lower compared with that obtained after intratympanic Gd injection.