Delayed contrast MRI for the evaluation of Ménière's disease: an Australian perspective

Ménière's disease is a chronic inner-ear disease attributed to endolymphatic hydrops. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium allows visualisation of endolymphatic hydrops in vivo and may be an adjunct to diagnosis.

Thirty-eight patients suspected of having Ménière's disease underwent T2 weighted three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and true inversion recovery sequence magnetic resonance imaging 4 hours post double-dose intra-venous gadolinium. Presence of endolymphatic hydrops was graded by two radiologists at 0 and 4 months. Correlation to clinical diagnosis was assessed using Fisher's exact test.

Hydrops was identified in 88 per cent, 17 per cent and 27 per cent of patients with Definite Ménière's, Probable Ménière's and Undifferentiated disease, respectively. A significant correlation existed between diagnosis and presence of hydrops. Sensitivity and specificity were 88 per cent and 67 per cent, respectively. Intra- and inter-observer agreement for presence and grading of hydrops was near-perfect and substantial to near-perfect, respectively.

Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates radiographic hydrops with significant correlation to clinical diagnosis and good intra- and inter-observer agreement.