title: Image evaluation of endolymphatic space in fluctuating hearing loss without vertigo.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to investigate endolymphatic space images in patients with fluctuating hearing loss without vertigo, and to elucidate its underlying pathophysiology. Eight patients with fluctuating hearing loss without vertigo were included in this study. 3T MRI was taken, 24 h after intratympanic injection of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Electrocochleography and VEMP tests were performed to evaluate cochlear and vestibular functions. Endolymphatic hydrops were observed both in the cochlea and in the vestibule of all eight patients. Three patients out of six whose summating potential/action potential (SP/AP) ratio was recordable showed an elevation of SP/AP ratio. In the two patients with remarkable endolymphatic hydrops in the vestibule, VEMP was absent from the affected ear. In conclusion, 3T MRI after intratympanic injection of Gd-DTPA revealed endolymphatic hydrops both in the cochlea and in the vestibule in the patients with fluctuating hearing loss without vertigo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65, Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan. masaaki@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teranishi
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naganawa
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: Seiichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Michihiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sone
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakashima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004711:Endolymphatic Duct / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014717:Vertigo