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In Vivo Morphometric Analysis of Human Cranial Nerves Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Menière's Disease Ears and Normal Hearing Ears
Published on: February 21, 2018
Differences in cochlear nerve cross-sectional area between normal hearing and postlingually deafened patients on MRI
1University of Miami, Department of Otolaryngology, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Summary
Parasagittal CISS MRI accurately measures cochlear nerve size. Postlingually deafened adults show significantly smaller cochlear nerve cross-sectional areas compared to normal-hearing individuals.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Cochlear nerve (CN) size may reflect neural health.
- Accurate measurement of CN cross-sectional area (CSA) is crucial for understanding auditory pathway changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate parasagittal constructive interference in steady state (CISS) MRI for measuring CN CSA.
- To compare CN CSA between postlingually deafened adults and normal-hearing controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of parasagittal CISS MRI scans from deafened and normal-hearing individuals.
- Two blinded investigators measured CN height and width at the internal auditory canal fundus.
- Statistical comparison using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and reliability analysis with Altman plots.
Main Results:
- The mean CN CSA was significantly smaller in postlingually deafened adults (0.61 ± 0.16 mm²) compared to normal-hearing adults (0.94 ± 0.28 mm²).
- The difference in CN CSA was statistically significant (P = .002).
- Excellent interobserver agreement was achieved for the measurements.
Conclusions:
- Parasagittal CISS MRI is a reliable method for measuring CN CSA with good interobserver agreement.
- A significant reduction in CN CSA is observed in postlingually deafened adults.
- CN CSA may serve as a prognostic indicator for cochlear implant outcomes.
