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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Surgical Induction of Endolymphatic Hydrops by Obliteration of the Endolymphatic Duct
Published on: January 22, 2010
MR volumetric assessment of endolymphatic hydrops
R Gürkov1, A Berman, O Dietrich
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Centre, University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany, rguerkov@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Objectives:
We aimed to volumetrically quantify endolymph and perilymph spaces of the inner ear in order to establish a methodological basis for further investigations into the pathophysiology and therapeutic monitoring of Menière's disease.
Methods:
Sixteen patients (eight females, aged 38-71 years) with definite unilateral Menière's disease were included in this study. Magnetic resonance (MR) cisternography with a T2-SPACE sequence was combined with a Real reconstruction inversion recovery (Real-IR) sequence for delineation of inner ear fluid spaces. Machine learning and automated local thresholding segmentation algorithms were applied for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and volumetric quantification of endolymphatic hydrops. Test-retest reliability was assessed by the intra-class coefficient; correlation of cochlear endolymph volume ratio with hearing function was assessed by the Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results:
Endolymph volume ratios could be reliably measured in all patients, with a mean (range) value of 15% (2-25) for the cochlea and 28% (12-40) for the vestibulum. Test-retest reliability was excellent, with an intra-class coefficient of 0.99. Cochlear endolymphatic hydrops was significantly correlated with hearing loss (r = 0.747, p = 0.001).
Conclusions:
MR imaging after local contrast application and image processing, including machine learning and automated local thresholding, enable the volumetric quantification of endolymphatic hydrops. This allows for a quantitative assessment of the effect of therapeutic interventions on endolymphatic hydrops.
Key Points:
• Endolymphatic hydrops is the pathological hallmark of Menière's disease. • Endolymphatic hydrops can be visualized by locally enhanced ultra-high-resolution MR imaging. • Computer-aided image processing enables quantification of endolymphatic hydrops. • Endolymphatic hydrops correlates with hearing loss in patients with Menière's disease. • Therapeutic trials in Menière's disease can be monitored with this quantitative approach.
