Abstract
Conclusion. Contrast enhancement of the inner ear by three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI) taken 4 h after intravenous gadolinium (Gd) injection was better than when taken at 10 min. Using heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR MRI, visualization of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) was possible in the vestibule and the cochlea after a standard intravenous dose of Gd. Objectives. To define a suitable time point for imaging Gd uptake in the inner ear acquired with heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR MRI after standard intravenous Gd administration. Methods: Using a 3 Tesla MRI unit, heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR MRI images were taken twice at approximately 10 min (conventional timing) and 4 h after intravenous gadodiamide (0.1 mmol/kg) injection in 10 patients with inner ear diseases including Ménière's disease. Results: The 4 h delay increased Gd enhancement of the 3D-FLAIR MRI images of the perilymphatic space in both symptomatic and asymptomatic ears. The increase in Gd enhancement was greater in symptomatic than in asymptomatic ears. Using this heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR technique, EH was observed in both the cochlea and vestibule in images taken 4 h after the intravenous Gd injection.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by research grants from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (B 21390460) and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (H23-Nanchi-Ippan-021) in Japan.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.