[Cochlear otosclerosis and pseudo fourth turn of the cochlea].
OBJECTIVE
To describe different sequences on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in otosclerosis with peri-cochlear involvement.


METHODS
MRI T1 and T2 sequences with T1 gadolinium injection and computed tomography (CT) scans with millimetric slices on axial and coronal views were obtained. The diagnosis of bilateral otosclerosis was confirmed by surgical exploration.


RESULTS
On the CT scan, there was a fourth turn of the cochlea which appeared on the MRI T1 sequence with an intermediate signal and on the T2 sequences with a high intensity signal. After gadolinium injection, there was signal enhancement, suggestive of active otospongiosis. On the CT scan, there was another lesion in front of the cochlea with endosteal involvement. This was no however visible on the MRI, even after gadolinium infusion, in accordance with inactive otospongiosis.


CONCLUSIONS
We reviewed the literature concerning MRI and results in otosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI of the labyrinth with T1 sequences and gadolinium injection can be contributive to the diagnosis of otosclerosis to differentiate inactive from inactive otospongiosis. However, prospective studies must be conducted to confirm this hypothesis.
Tringali
S
S
Service d'ORL et de Chirurgie Cervico-faciale, Hôpital Bellevue, boulevard Pasteur 42055 Saint-Etienne Cedex 02.
Bertholon
P
P
Pouget
J F
JF
Timoshenko
A P
AP
Faye
M
M
Veyret
C
C
Martin
Ch
Ch
D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D003051:Cochlea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003638:Deafness / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care