[In vivo dynamic changes of inner ear guinea pigs with 9.4 T esla MRI]

Objective: To observe the imaging characteristics of guinea pig cochlear structure using 9.4 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system at different time intervals of contrast agent distribution in the inner ear. Methods: Form May 2015 to October 2015, five albino guinea pigs were injected with Gd-DTPA via the right internal jugular vein (3 ml/kg). Inner ears were scanned with 9.4T MRI. At the 10 th, 30 th, 60 th, 90 th and 120 th minutes post-Gd-DTPA, we took inner ear images to detect changes of endolymph and perilymph. Using Image J software, we acquired MRI gray value through the first, second, third and apical turn of cochlear at different time points. Analysis by one-way ANOVA was taken to analyze the resultsusing GraphPad Prism 5 software. Results: Only outlines of the cochlea and vestibule were visible before Gd-DTPA injection and there was no clear distinction between endolymph and perilymph. Cochlea vestibule on T1 weighted images was enhanced at the 10 th (the first turn of cochlear 8 203±819) after injection, and then imaging of each part of cochlea, including cochlea, vestibule, semicircular canal and even endolymph and perilymph, can be distinguished clearly, because they enhanced gradually at the 30 th(10 489±819), 60 th(13 965±591), and at 90 th(18 050±1 250) after injection. While at the 120 th(18 952±1 185) minute, imaging was not significantly enhanced than at the 90 th minute. The speed and volume of contrast agent spreaded into the various parts of the inner ear were different, and changes with distribution of contrast agent in each part of the inner ear showed a rising process in a certain period of time. The distribution of contrast agent in the inner ear had concentration gradient via basal turn higher and apical turn lower. Conclusions: Endolymph of inner ear can be distinguished from the perilymph using a 9.4T MRI system with Gd-DTPA, and the best observation timer was 90 minutes after intravenous injection of contrast agent. In summary, our study provides the clearly visualized imaging evidence of the changes of the lymphatic fluid, which may be useful for diagnosis of inner ear diseases such as Meniere's Disease.