title: Hearing function after intratympanic application of gadolinium-based contrast agent: A long-term evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term influence of intratympanic gadolinium-based contrast agent on hearing function in patients with possible Ménière's disease and normal auditory thresholds who were undergoing locally enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational cohort study in a tertiary referral university hospital ear, nose, and throat department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2009 and 2012, 17 patients with possible or probable Ménière's disease and a four-tone pure-tone average baseline of <25 dB were recruited for our study. Before undergoing intratympanic injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent, all patients underwent a complete audiological evaluation. The study population was then invited back after at least 6 months postinjection for a follow-up auditory evaluation. This consisted of comprehensive clinical and audiological tests on both sides and were evaluated according to the ototoxicity guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A long-term evaluation of our study group revealed no significant difference in the air-conduction pure-tone average. Furthermore, no statistical difference at individual frequencies compared to baseline was found. There was no evidence of ototoxicity in the injected ear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term hearing function assessment after intratympanic application of gadolinium-based agent showed no evidence of ototoxicity. The use of intratympanic gadolinium-based agent in the diagnosis of Ménièrés disease is currently a helpful tool, and seems to be a safe method, especially with regard to auditory function.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Louza
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Eike
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gürkov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Gadolinium; Ménière's disease; hearing function; intratympanic application; long term