Volumetric measurements of the inner ear in patients with Meniere’s disease using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Conclusion: This study described the lateralities of axial length of inner ear (ALIE), of the volume of inner ear (VIE) and age-related differences of the volume of inner ear components in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Age-related differences were found in ALIE and the positive correlation in ALIE and the volume of the cochlea (VC) of the affected ear in patients with Meniere’s disease (MD). Objective: To identify side or sex-related differences in the ALIE, the length of the spiral canal of cochlea (LSCC), and the volume of components of the inner ear in MD and CRS.

Methods: Thirty-two with unilateral MD and 14 with CRS were included. Images were acquired with a 3.0-tesla unit using SPACE sequences. The ALIE was measured and the VIE, VC, the volume of the vestibule (VV), and of the semi-circular canals (VSC) were also measured.

Results: In CRS, ALIE of the right ear in males was significantly longer than in females. Patients younger than 60 years old with CRS had a significantly larger VIE, VC, and VSC than older than 60. In MD, the ALIE in older than 60 was longer than below 60.

Keywords:

• Quantitative measurement
• inner ear fluid space
• cochlea
• vestibule
• age relationship
• T2-SPACE MRI

Acknowledgments

We thank Professor Kimihiro Kichikawa, Dr Toshiteru Miyasaka, Mr Yuya Yamatani, and Mr Kozo Shimizu (Department of Radiology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan), and Professor Shinji Naganawa and Associate Professor Toshiaki Taoka (Department of Radiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.