Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Sudden Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and Vertigo

Abstract

This study indicates that contrast-enhanced MRI can be used to assess a significant number of different pathologic conditions in patients with audiovestibular disorders.

Vascular Loops at the Cerebellopontine Angle: Is There a Correlation with Tinnitus?

“…22 The introduction of MR imaging has permitted better visualization of the CPA and IAC and is the method of choice for evaluating the eighth CN in patients with audiovestibular symptoms. 23,24 Advances in MR imaging techniques and application of special sequences have enabled increased spatial resolution and more detailed analysis of the CPA. The 3D-FIESTA sequence is a high-resolution heavily T2-weighted method and is capable of perfect delineation of vascular structures and nerves from CSF.…”

“…In MR imaging studies, the incidence of AICA loops in contact with the eighth CN was nearly the same in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (25% and 21.4%, respectively). 13,23 Therefore, the presence of vascular loops within the IAC may not be a definite indication of vascular compression syndromes of the eighth CN.…”

Ressonância magnética em surdez súbita

“…This type of affection was found in 22% of the 354 patients studied by Schick et al 2 and it is considered as a signal of microangiopathic cerebral lesions. Vascular affections have been one of the most controversial etiologies of SD and some authors do not believe they should be held responsible for SD.…”

“…MRI is currently considered the exam of choice in radiological investigation of the inner ear, vestibular-cochlear nerve and central nervous system. Schick et al 2 identified abnormalities using MRI in 34.5% of 354 exams of patients with SD, non-pulsatile tinnitus and vestibular symptoms, meaning that it is useful in the investigation of audio-vestibular disorders.…”

“…In 495 cases of sensorineural loss studied with MRI, Wu and Thuomas 1 identified 22 cases of intra-axial lesions calling our attention to the etiology of central deafness. Moreover, the possibility of audiovestibular pathway lesions as the central cause of sudden deafness has been considered by other authors 2 .…”