IMAGING OF THE VESTIBULE

PURPOSE: State-of-the-art imaging of the normal and pathologic vestibu le. METHODS AND MATERIAL: This study is based on the experience ct thr ee French imaging centers (Val de Grace, Begin, and Saint-Antoine hosp itals) working with 1- and 1,5-tesla magnetic resonance units and high -resolution computed tomography, and it includes a review of the liter ature. Computed tomography is performed with a high-resolution program , matrix 512 x 512, field of View 9.6 cm, joined 1-mm section, overlap ped sections every 0.5 mm, axial and coronal sections, or reformatted images. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (matrix 512 x 384), field of view 18 cm, is used with fast T-2-weighted sequences (sectio ns 3 or 2 mm thick, constructive interference in steady state, T-2-wei ghted gradient echo sequence three-dimensional Fourier transformation) . A joined section of 0.7 mm in any direction is obtained if necessary , Superimposition of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imagin g with a stereotactic technique by identification of identical anatomi c points is sometimes used. RESULTS: We review the interest and place of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diseases of the labyrinth and internal auditory canal related to abnormal vesti bular functions: inflammatory labyrinthitis, vestibular hemorrhages, s clerosing and ossifying labyrinthitis, traumatism, malformations, peri lymphatic fistulas, otosclerosis, tumors, cochleovestibular neuritis, and hydrops of the endolymphatic system.