3D MRI of the in vivo vestibulo-cochlea labyrinth during Gd-DTPA-BMA uptake.

The morphology, time-course and volume of the in vivo uptake of the T1 contrast agent gadolinium (Gd) in the perilymphatic vestibulo-cochlea labyrinth, including the utricle, saccule, semicircular canals and scalae of the guinea pig inner ear were analyzed as Fourier transform signal intensity enhancement levels by 3D MRI at 4.7 T. The uptake of Gd as a function of time in the perilymphatic space of the vestibular labyrinth was shown by ANOVA and PLSD post hoc tests to be significantly less (p < 0.05) than that of the scala tympani of the cochlea 10, 30, 60 and 90 min after i.v. injection. Experimentally induced fistulae resulted in MRI detected morphological and quantitative alterations in Gd concentration in the perilymphatic labyrinthine space. The findings demonstrate that Gd-enhanced 3D MRI of the perilymphatic space may be used to examine the morphology, kinetics and intravenous substance delivery in the in vivo mammalian vestibulo-cochlea labyrinth.