Wen-Huei Liao1, Hsiu-Mei Wu2, Hung-Yi Wu3, Tzong-Yang Tu1, An-Suey Shiao1, Mauricio Castillo4, Sheng-Che Hung5. 1. School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan; Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan. 2. School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan; Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan. 3. Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan. 4. Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7510, USA. 5. School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan; Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan. Electronic address: hsz829@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Three-dimensional fluid attenuation inversion recovery (3D FLAIR) may demonstrate high signal in the inner ears of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL), but the correlations of this finding with outcomes are still controversial. Here we compared 4 3D MRI sequences with the outcomes of patients with ISSNHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 77 adult patients with ISSNHL underwent MRI with pre contrast FLAIR, fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition images (FIESTA-C), post contrast T1WI and post contrast FLAIR. The extent and degree of high signal in both cochleas were evaluated in all patients, and asymmetry ratios between the affected ears and the normal ones were calculated. The relationships among MRI findings, including extent and asymmetry of abnormal cochlear high signals, degree of FLAIR enhancement, and clinical information, including age, vestibular symptoms, baseline hearing loss, and final hearing outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 54 patients (28 men; age, 52.1±15.5years) were included in our study. Asymmetric cochlear signal intensities were more frequently observed in pre contrast and post contrast FLAIR (79.6% and 68.5%) than in FIESTA-C (61.1%) and T1WI (51.9%) (p<0.001). Age, baseline hearing loss, extent of high signal and asymmetry ratios of pre contrast and post contrast FLAIR were all correlated with final hearing outcomes. In multivariate analysis, age and the extent of high signals were the most significant predictors of final hearing outcomes. CONCLUSION: 3D FLAIR provides a higher sensitivity in detecting the asymmetric cochlear signal abnormality. The more asymmetric FLAIR signals and presence of high signals beyond cochlea indicated a poorer prognosis.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Three-dimensional fluid attenuation inversion recovery (3D FLAIR) may demonstrate high signal in the inner ears of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL), but the correlations of this finding with outcomes are still controversial. Here we compared 4 3D MRI sequences with the outcomes of patients with ISSNHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 77 adult patients with ISSNHL underwent MRI with pre contrast FLAIR, fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition images (FIESTA-C), post contrast T1WI and post contrast FLAIR. The extent and degree of high signal in both cochleas were evaluated in all patients, and asymmetry ratios between the affected ears and the normal ones were calculated. The relationships among MRI findings, including extent and asymmetry of abnormal cochlear high signals, degree of FLAIR enhancement, and clinical information, including age, vestibular symptoms, baseline hearing loss, and final hearing outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 54 patients (28 men; age, 52.1±15.5years) were included in our study. Asymmetric cochlear signal intensities were more frequently observed in pre contrast and post contrast FLAIR (79.6% and 68.5%) than in FIESTA-C (61.1%) and T1WI (51.9%) (p<0.001). Age, baseline hearing loss, extent of high signal and asymmetry ratios of pre contrast and post contrast FLAIR were all correlated with final hearing outcomes. In multivariate analysis, age and the extent of high signals were the most significant predictors of final hearing outcomes. CONCLUSION: 3D FLAIR provides a higher sensitivity in detecting the asymmetric cochlear signal abnormality. The more asymmetric FLAIR signals and presence of high signals beyond cochlea indicated a poorer prognosis.
Authors: Michael Eliezer; Charles Maquet; Julien Horion; André Gillibert; Michel Toupet; Benoit Bolognini; Nicolas Magne; Laureline Kahn; Charlotte Hautefort; Arnaud Attyé Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2018-11-09 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: G Conte; F Di Berardino; C Sina; D Zanetti; E Scola; C Gavagna; L Gaini; G Palumbo; P Capaccio; F Triulzi Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2017-05-25 Impact factor: 3.825