title: Magnetic resonance imaging-detected inner ear hemorrhage as a potential cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging in identifying the etiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and to correlate the high signals in the labyrinth with clinical features to identify if inner ear hemorrhage could be implicated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, inner ear magnetic resonance imaging was given to 112 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from 2011 to 2012. The clinical features of patients with high signals in the labyrinth on magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormal magnetic resonance images were identified in 13 (11.6%) patients. Retrocochlear pathology was found in six patients, including two cases of lacunar infarction, one case of multiple ischemias in the brainstem and bilateral centrum semiovale, two cases of acoustic neuroma, and one case of inner ear hemangioma. There were seven cases showing high signals in the labyrinth on unenhanced T1-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Clinical features of these seven patients were characterized by irreversible profound hearing impairment and vestibular dysfunction. These findings were consistent with the hypothesis that their symptoms were caused by an inner ear hemorrhage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate the importance of magnetic resonance imaging in sudden sensorineural hearing loss in patients. Moreover, patients with vestibular dysfunction and sudden profound hearing loss may have an inner ear hemorrhage evident by interpreting clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Kaitian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhiyun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Yuanping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China. Electronic address: hyjiangwu@163.com.
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology