Usefulness of MRI quantitative analysis in assessment of audio-vestibular impairment| ACTA Otorhinolaryngologica Italica

Abstract

Objectives. To quantify inner ear fluid changes in patients with audiovestibular deficits by measuring signal intensity values; to correlate the signal intensity values of inner ear structures and audio-vestibular impairment severity.

Methods. Twenty-six patients with unilateral vestibulocochlear deficits underwent hearing and vestibular assessments and were categorized into severity classes by audiological and vestibular deficit scores. Normalized signal intensity values of inner ear structures were extracted from 3D-T2-WI-MRI scans (nT2mean, nT2Max, nT2min) and signal intensity ratios were calculated using the unaffected ear as reference.

Results. Asymmetry ratios of nT2Max and nT2mean volumetric intensity values from the cochlea and entire inner ear discriminated severe hearing impairment from lower deficits and diagnostic performance of nT2mean values was excellent.

Conclusions. Quantitative MRI analysis may be a useful tool for assessing the severity of auditory deficits. Asymmetry ratios of nT2mean and nT2Max signal intensity values derived from the cochlea and entire inner labyrinth are surrogate indicators of unilateral cochlear-vestibular deficits and might have a potential prognostic value.