Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: MR Imaging

Abstract

Hearing loss greater than 30 dB over three contiguous pure-tone frequencies occurring within a three day period is defined as sudden hearing loss. It is usually sensorineural (SSNHL), unilateral and appears as an otologic emergency. SSNHL has many possibile etiologies such as: labyrinthine viral infection, ischemic or hemorrhagic illness, trauma, immuno-mediated inner ear disease, tumor, inner ear malformation, and an imbalance between perilymphatic and endolymphatic fluid pressure. Nevertheless in almost 80% of cases SSNHL belongs to the idiopathic category because the etiology is unknown. The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic impact of two MR devices. Fifteen cases of SSNHL studied with a 1.5 T unit in our hospital between January 2006 and December 2008 within two weeks of the onset were retrospectively evaluated. Since January 2009 three more patients affected by SSNHL have been scanned with a 3T MR unit. We discuss the diagnostic sensitivity, clinical usefulness and the cost-benefit ratio of the MR systems.

Intralabyrinthine pathology: Role of imaging

“…Improvements in volumetric (3D) sequences continue to reduce the scan duration, making them more realistic for routine clinical use. [13][14][15] The field of view should include at the minimum both labyrinths, the IACs, and the brainstem; however, full brain postcontrast T1, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and diffusion-weighted imaging is also recommended on initial examination to assess for potential extralabyrinthine causes of symptoms as well as multifocal pathology (Figure 5).…”