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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
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
Gadolinium-enhanced delayed MRI of inner ear: A valuable diagnostic tool for Ménière's disease and delayed
Chengcheng Liu1, Zi Wang1, Wei Gao1
1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Abstract:
ObjectiveThe diagnosis of Ménière's disease (MD) and delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) is challenging due to overlapping symptoms. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of gadolinium-enhanced delayed inner ear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for visualizing endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in patients with MD and DEH.MethodsThis retrospective study included 191 patients with unilateral MD (n = 164) or DEH (n = 27), stratified into definite MD (DMD, n = 129), probable MD (PMD, n = 35), and DEH subgroups. All patients underwent intratympanic administration of gadolinium followed by 3.0-T MRI using 3D-FLAIR and 3D-real-IR sequences. Clinical data, including pure-tone audiometry (PTA), speech recognition score (SRS), electrocochleography (ECochG), and caloric testing, were analyzed to assess correlations between EH and auditory-vestibular function.ResultsEH was detected in 85.2% (23/27) of clinically diagnosed DEH patients. Detection rates were 96.1% in DMD cases and 28.6% in PMD cases. There was no significant difference in cochlear or vestibular EH between the DMD and DEH groups. However, the DMD group exhibited a significantly higher incidence and severity of EH than the PMD group (P < 0.05). In DMD patients, the degree of EH was positively correlated with PTA, clinical stage, and disease course (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with SRS (P < 0.05). The degree of vestibular EH was also positively correlated with caloric test abnormalities (Spearman's ρ = 0.350, P < 0.001).ConclusionGadolinium-enhanced delayed MRI of the inner ear provides objective evidence of EH and improves the diagnostic accuracy for MD and DEH. Its incorporation into standardized diagnostic protocols may further enhance clinical decision-making.
Insights
Gadolinium-enhanced delayed MRI effectively visualizes endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in Ménière
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Ménière's disease (MD) and delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) diagnosis is challenging due to symptom overlap.
- Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) is a key pathological finding in MD and DEH.
- Objective visualization of EH aids in accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of gadolinium-enhanced delayed inner ear MRI for detecting EH.
- To assess the correlation between EH and auditory-vestibular function in MD and DEH patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 191 patients with unilateral MD or DEH.
- Intratympanic gadolinium administration followed by 3.0-T MRI with 3D-FLAIR and 3D-real-IR sequences.
- Analysis of clinical data including audiometry, speech recognition, electrocochleography, and caloric testing.
Main Results:
- EH detected in 85.2% of DEH, 96.1% of definite MD (DMD), and 28.6% of probable MD (PMD) cases.
- DMD group showed significantly higher EH incidence and severity than PMD group.
- EH degree correlated with audiometric findings, clinical stage, disease course, and caloric test abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Gadolinium-enhanced delayed MRI provides objective evidence of EH.
- This MRI technique improves diagnostic accuracy for MD and DEH.
- Incorporating this MRI into protocols can enhance clinical decision-making.
