MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE INNER-EAR IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC SUDDEN SENSORINEURAL HEARING-LOSS

Although gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-MRI) has b een used to indicate the presence of a subclinical labyrinthitis in pa tients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL), its sensitivity in daily clinical practice is unknown. We describe Gd-MRI findings in 27 ISSHL patients taking part in a prospective multicenter clinical trial. MRI findings were related to the severity of the hear ing loss, vestibular involvement and the time interval between the occ urrence: of ISSHL and imaging. Pathological enhancement of the cochlea indicating a labyrinthitis was found in one patient with ISSHL. In 26 cases, no pathological enhancement could be established. Study result s indicate that the present sensitivity of Gd-MRI is low for detecting subclinical viral labyrinthitis in patients with ISSHL. To improve th e sensitivity of MRI in ISSHL, we recommend that imaging is performed as early as possible, preferably before treatment is started.