SLOW-GROWING LABYRINTHINE MASSES - CONTRIBUTION OF MRI TO DIAGNOSIS, FOLLOW-UP AND TREATMENT

We report the use of MRI in the diagnosis, follow-up and therapeutic m anagement of three cases of intralabyrinthine Schwannoma, The diagnosi s was based on the history and initial and follow-up MRI findings. The main feature suggesting the diagnosis was a nodular intralabyrinthine mass of low signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and high or isoin tense signal on T1-weighted images (relative to cerebrospinal fluid), which showed contrast enhancement. Follow-up imaging showed growth of the tumour in one patient. One patient underwent surgery for severe ti nnitus. To detect these lesions, MRI should be focussed on the inner e ar, using thin-section T2-weighted and T1-weighted images before and a fter contrast medium. MRI allowed informed surgical planning.