MRI EVIDENCE OF LABYRINTHINE AND 8TH-NERVE BUNDLE INVOLVEMENT IN MUMPS-VIRUS SUDDEN DEAFNESS AND VERTIGO

Enhanced MRI has recently become an even more useful diagnostic tool i n the study of the labyrinth in sudden deafness and vertigo. A 22-year -old male who experienced a right-sided sudden deafness and vertigo du e to mumps virus underwent labyrinthine MRI examination with gadoliniu m, and both labyrinthine and nerve bundle involvement was demonstrated . The relationship between mumps virus and the sudden dearness in huma ns has not been completely established and the path of labyrinthine in fection and the possible eighth-nerve involvement is discussed. In viv o evidence of labyrinthine and cochleovestibular-nerve involvement in mumps virus sudden deafness and vertigo has not been previously demons trated. MRI findings may represent a new contribution in the evaluatio n of the etiopathogenesis of mumps virus deafness and vertigo.