Optimized 3D-ZOOMit real IR combined with T2-preparation improves perilymphatic enhancement and endolymphatic hydrops...

This study aimed to optimize three-dimensional real inversion recovery (3D-real IR) with T2 preparation (T2Prep) protocols to improve perilymphatic enhancement (PE) and endolymphatic hydrops (EH) detection.

Fifty-three consecutive participants with unilateral Ménière's disease were prospectively recruited. All participants underwent 3D-zoomed imaging technique with parallel transmission real IR (z-3D real IR), z-3D real IR with T2Prep (tz-3D real IR), and optimized tz-3D real IR (otz-3D real IR). Overall image quality, the separation of endolymph and perilymph and EH were scored/graded and compared among three 3D real IRs respectively. The signal intensity ratio (SIR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), and signal to noise (SNR) were quantitatively calculated and compared among three 3D real IRs respectively.

Tz-3D real IR was superior to z-3D real IR in overall image quality, SIR, SNR, and CNR (P < 0.017 for all), moreover, the vestibular EH detection of tz-3D real IR sequence were inferior to z-3D real IR (P = 0.005). On otz-3D real IR images, overall image quality, endolymph visualization, and the SIR and CNR significantly increased compared to those of the tz-3D real IR sequence and z-3D real IR sequence (P < 0.017 for all). Moreover, the cochlear and vestibular EH detection of otz-3D real IR sequence were significant superior to tz-3D real IR (P = 0.008 for both).

The optimized otz-3D real IR sequence, incorporating T2Prep, significantly improves PE and EH detection. These enhancements highlight its potential utility in clinical settings for accurate and timely diagnosis of EH.