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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Surgical Induction of Endolymphatic Hydrops by Obliteration of the Endolymphatic Duct
Published on: January 22, 2010
[Non-invasive visualization of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with Meniere's disease]
Fang Liu1, Li-Sheng Yu, Wei-Ning Huang
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Objective:
To visualize the endolymph in Meniere's disease by applying for non-invasive intratympanic gadolinium through eustachian tube and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI).
Methods:
With a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit, 3D-FLAIR imaging was performed 24 h after intratympanic gadolinium through eustachian tube in seven patients with Meniere's disease. Pure tone test was performed 24 h before and after administered gadolinium. Tympanometry was performed 24 h before, 24 h and 3 months after administered gadolinium.
Results:
In five patients, the gadolinium could appear in parts of the perilymph inside the inner ear but not in the middle ear and mastoid, moreover, the border between the perilymph and endolymph was visible so that endolymphatic space was clearly shown on 3D-FLAIR imaging. In two patients with endolymphatic hydrops, the perilymphatic space surrounding endolymph was small or disappeared. In two patients, the gadolinium could appear in parts of the middle ear and mastoid but not in the inner ear. No significant changes in pure tone test and tympanometry were noted.
Conclusions:
3D-FLAIR MRI with intratympanic gadolinium through eustachian tube could clearly reveal the visualization of endolymphatic space in Meniere's disease.
