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Inner ear fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI signal intensity in dogs with vestibular disease

Gibrann Castillo1, Thomas Parmentier2, Gabrielle Monteith1

  • 1Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound : the Official Journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
|June 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows decreased signal suppression in the inner ears of dogs with otitis media/interna. This finding highlights FLAIR MRI

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Neurology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Inner Ear Disorders

Background:

  • The inner ear contains endolymph and perilymph, with perilymph being continuous with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • Normal perilymph is expected to suppress on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Inner ear FLAIR abnormalities are known in humans, but their diagnostic value in dogs with vestibular disease is unproven.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diagnostic utility of FLAIR MRI in dogs presenting with vestibular disease.
  • To evaluate FLAIR signal suppression in the inner ears of dogs with different vestibular conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 101 dogs with vestibular signs undergoing brain MRI.
  • Patients categorized into otitis media/interna, idiopathic vestibular disease, central vestibular disease, and a control group (n=73).
  • Inner ear signal intensity measured on FLAIR and T2-weighted images, calculating FLAIR suppression percentages and comparing groups.

Main Results:

  • Dogs with otitis media/interna exhibited significantly decreased FLAIR signal suppression in affected inner ears compared to unaffected sides (P < .001).
  • Affected inner ears in otitis media/interna cases also showed decreased suppression compared to all other groups (P < .01).
  • No significant correlation was found between FLAIR suppression and CSF cell count or protein concentration.

Conclusions:

  • FLAIR MRI demonstrates diagnostic value in identifying otitis media/interna in dogs.
  • Lack of signal suppression in the affected inner ear on FLAIR MRI is a key indicator of otitis media/interna.
  • FLAIR MRI can aid in differentiating inner ear disease in canine vestibular disorders.
Keywords:
FLAIR ratioFLAIR suppressioninner earotitis media/internaperilymph

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