Magnetic resonance imaging in sudden deafness.
The etiology of sudden deafness can remain undetermined despite extensive investigation. This study addresses the value of magnetic resonance imaging in the analysis of sudden deafness patients.


METHODS
Transversal cohort.


METHODS
In a prospective study, 49 patients attended at otolaryngology emergency room of Federal University of Sao Paulo--Escola Paulista de Medicina, from April 2001 to May 2003, were submitted to magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
Magnetic Resonance abnormalities were seen in 23 (46.9%) patients and revealed two tumors suggestive of meningioma, three vestibular schwannomas, thirteen microangiopathic changes of the brain and five (21.7%) pathological conditions of the labyrinth.


CONCLUSIONS
Sudden deafness should be approached as a symptom common to different diseases. The presence of cerebellopontine angle tumors in 10.2% of our cases, among other treatable causes, justifies the recommendation of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance use, not only to study the auditory peripheral pathway, but to study the whole auditory pathway including the brain.
Ramos
Hugo Valter Lisboa
HV
hvlramos@gmail.com
Barros
Flávia Alencar
FA
Yamashita
Hélio
H
Penido
Norma de Oliveira
Nde O
Souza
Ana Cláudia Valério de
AC
Yamaoka
Wellington Yugo
WY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000473:pathology
D005682:Gadolinium