Usefulness of three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging to detect inner-ear abnormalities in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract

Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging has been used to detect alterations in the composition of inner-ear fluid. This study investigated the association between hearing level and the signal intensity of pre- and post-contrast three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging in patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss. Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 18 patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss: 12 patients with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss (baseline hearing levels of 60dB or less) and 6 patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss (baseline hearing levels of more than 60dB). High-intensity signals in the inner ear were observed in two of the six patients (33 per cent) with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, but not in those with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss (mid-p test, p=0.049). These signals were observed on magnetic resonance imaging scans 6 or 18 days after sensorineural hearing loss onset. The results indicate that three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging is not a useful tool for detecting inner-ear abnormalities in patients with mild sensorineural hearing loss.