The Endolymph Signal in Non-contrast Enhanced 3D-real IR Image Differs between the Ears with and without Significant...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Otolaryngology
• Neurology

Background:

• Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) is a condition affecting the inner ear, often associated with Ménière's disease.
• Current diagnostic methods for EH, such as MRI, often require contrast agents.
• Developing non-contrast MRI techniques for EH detection could improve patient accessibility and reduce costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if signal intensities on non-contrast 3D-real inversion recovery (3D-real IR) MRI differ between patients with and without significant endolymphatic hydrops (EH).
• To explore the potential for non-contrast MRI in detecting EH by analyzing labyrinthine fluid signal intensities.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-nine patients with suspected EH underwent 3D-real IR MRI before and after gadobutrol contrast administration.
• Signal intensities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), perilymph, and endolymph were measured on pre-contrast images.
• Normalized signal intensities (nSIs) of the endolymph were calculated and compared between EH and non-EH groups.

Main Results:

• Vestibular endolymph nSIs were significantly lower in the significant EH group compared to the non-EH group (P < 0.05).
• This suggests T1 prolongation in the vestibular endolymph of patients with significant EH.
• No significant differences in perilymph or CSF signal intensities were observed between the groups.

Conclusions:

• T1 prolongation in the vestibular endolymph is suggested in cases of significant EH.
• These findings support the potential for developing non-contrast MRI methods for EH detection.
• Further research is needed to validate these results and understand the pathophysiology of EH.