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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
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
Improving diagnostic accuracy for probable and definite Ménière's disease using magnetic resonance imaging
Jinye Li1, Linsheng Wang1, Na Hu1
1Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, 4 Duan Xing-Xi Road, Jinan, China.
Purpose:
To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can improve diagnostic accuracy for definite and probable Ménière's disease (MD) based on perilymphatic enhancement (PE) and endolymphatic hydrops (EH).
Methods:
363 patients with unilateral MD (probable MD, n = 75 and definite MD, n = 288) were recruited. A three-dimensional zoomed imaging technique with parallel transmission SPACE real inversion recovery was performed 6 h after intravenous gadolinium injection to investigate the presence of PE and to evaluate the grading and location of EH. PE and EH characteristics were analyzed and compared between the probable and definite MD groups.
Results:
The cochlear and vestibular EH grading on the affected side was more severe in the definite MD group than that in the probable MD group (P < 0.001). The EH locations within the inner ear on the affected side also differed between the two groups (χ2 = 81.15, P < 0.001). The signal intensity ratio (SIR) on the affected side was significantly higher in the definite MD group than in the probable MD group (t = 2.18, P < 0.05). The assessment of the combination of PE and EH parameters within the inner ear revealed a higher area under the curve (AUC) in the definite MD group (0.82) compared with the AUCs of the parameters assessed alone.
Conclusion:
The assessment of a combination of PE and EH parameters improved the diagnostic accuracy for probable and definite MD, suggesting that MRI findings may be clinically useful in the diagnosis of MD.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using perilymphatic enhancement (PE) and endolymphatic hydrops (EH) shows improved diagnostic accuracy for Ménière
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Ménière's disease (MD) diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms, with imaging playing a supportive role.
- Perilymphatic enhancement (PE) and endolymphatic hydrops (EH) are key imaging biomarkers in MD.
- Accurate differentiation between probable and definite MD is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of MRI in enhancing diagnostic accuracy for definite and probable Ménière's disease.
- To assess the utility of perilymphatic enhancement (PE) and endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in MRI-based MD diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- 363 patients with unilateral MD (75 probable, 288 definite) underwent MRI.
- A 3D zoomed imaging technique was used 6 hours post-gadolinium injection.
- PE presence, EH grading, and location were analyzed and compared between MD groups.
Main Results:
- Definite MD showed more severe cochlear and vestibular EH grading compared to probable MD.
- Distinct EH locations were observed between definite and probable MD groups.
- The combination of PE and EH parameters yielded a higher area under the curve (AUC) for definite MD diagnosis (0.82) than individual parameters.
Conclusions:
- Combining PE and EH parameters in MRI significantly improves diagnostic accuracy for probable and definite MD.
- MRI findings, particularly the combined assessment of PE and EH, are clinically valuable for MD diagnosis.
- This approach aids in differentiating between stages of Ménière's disease.
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