Cutting edge of inner ear MRI.
CONCLUSIONS
Recent advances in clinical MR imagers, such as the 3-Tesla, multi-channel phased-array coil and novel pulse sequences, allow the evaluation of subtle alterations in the inner ear fluid environments and breakdown of the blood-labyrinthine barrier. Intratympanic injection of Gd-DTPA allows the imaging detection of endolymphatic hydrops in patients.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the current status of inner ear MRI and future directions for imaging.


METHODS
Based on our experiences and literature research, a brief review of the history and recent developments of inner ear MRI is presented.


RESULTS
The 3D-FLAIR technique can detect abnormalities that could not be visualized previously in many inner ear diseases, such as sudden deafness, otosclerosis, lupus erythematosus, mumps, and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Imaging techniques, indications, and findings for the visualization of endolymphatic hydrops after intratympanic injection of Gd-DTPA are also discussed. This procedure enabled the visualization of endolymphatic hydrops in vivo. Newly developed 3D-real IR techniques and utilities of 32 channel coil are also presented.
Naganawa
Shinji
S
Department of Radiology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65, Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
Nakashima
Tsutomu
T
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA