Clinical features of sudden hearing loss associated with a high signal in the labyrinth on unenhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

We report on five patients with high signals in the labyrinth on unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging who developed sudden hearing loss and vertigo. Weissman et al. (1992) suggested the possibility that such high signals wer e caused by hemorrhage. We assessed these patients using audiograms, calori c tests, and auditory brainstem responses to investigate the possibility of inner ear hemorrhage. Most of the patients were found to have severe and i rreversible impairment of both cochlear and vestibular function. These find ings were consistent with the hypothesis that their symptoms were caused by inner ear hemorrhage.