Visualization of Endolyphatic Hydrops in Patients with Ménière’s Disease by Locally Enhanced Inner Ear MRI: Correlation with Audiovestibular Function

Abstract

Objective: The pathophysiologic role of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière’s disease is still unresolved. The aim of this study was to determine whether the degree of endolymphatic hydrops as it is detected in vivo in patients with definite Ménière’s disease correlates with audiovestibular function. Method: In this prospective study, 37 patients with definite Ménière’s disease were examined with intratympanic contrast enhanced temporal bone MRI. The degree of hydrops was then compared with hearing levels, SP/AP ratios, interaural amplitude ratios of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and horizontal semicircular canal paresis. Results: There was a significant correlation between the degree of hydrops on the one hand and the averaged hearing level at 0.25 to 1 kHz and 0.5 to 3 kHz (r = 0.71, P < .01) and the vestibular evoked myogenic potential interaural amplitude ratio (r = -0.44, P < .05) on the other hand. A trend toward a correlation was found between the hydrops and the caloric response; no correlation was found between the hydrops and the SP/AP ratio. Conclusion: The degree of endolymphatic hydrops correlates with a progressive loss of auditory and sacculus function in patients with Ménière’s disease.