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Published on: September 25, 2019
Temporal enhancement patterns on 3D-FLAIR MRI in labyrinthine infarction
Hyun Sung Kim1, Eun Hye Oh2, Jieun Roh3
1Department of Neurology, Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Kumo-ro 20, Beomo-ri, Mulgum-eup, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, South Korea.
Summary
Inner ear enhancement on MRI indicates blood-labyrinth barrier disruption. Labyrinthine infarction shows consistent 4-hour delayed enhancement, unlike other audiovestibular disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Inner ear enhancement on MRI signifies blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) disruption.
- This enhancement is seen in various audiovestibular disorders.
- The temporal pattern of enhancement in labyrinthine infarction is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time-dependent enhancement patterns on 3D-FLAIR MRI in labyrinthine infarction.
- To compare these patterns with those in non-vascular audiovestibular disorders.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated four patients with labyrinthine infarction using contrast-enhanced inner ear MRI.
- Acquired 3D-FLAIR images at pre-contrast, 10-minute, and 4-hour post-gadolinium time points.
- Compared findings with 37 patients having non-vascular audiovestibular conditions.
Main Results:
- All four labyrinthine infarction patients showed enhancement in the cochlea and vestibule at 4 hours.
- Two patients exhibited early cochlear enhancement at 10 minutes.
- Only 22% of non-vascular cases showed enhancement, primarily at 4 hours, not 10 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Four-hour delayed enhancement is a reliable MRI sign of labyrinthine infarction.
- Early (10-minute) enhancement may indicate acute BLB disruption post-ischemia.
