Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the internal auditory canals and posterior fossa.

A retrospective review of 314 cases of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the posterior fossa and internal auditory canals was carried out correlating the presenting symptoms with the scan findings. 7.2% of the cases showed findings on the MRI which could account for the patients' symptoms. Patients with sensorineural hearing loss were more likely to have a positive scan than those presenting with vertigo and/or tinnitus without hearing loss. Acoustic schwannoma was the most common lesion detected. Labyrinthine lesions e.g. cochlear schwannoma, labyrinthitis, congenital labyrinthine abnormality, and central lesions e.g. multiple sclerosis, brainstem glioma were some of the other lesions detected.