title: Diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops by means of 3T magnetic resonance imaging after intratympanic administration of gadolinium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect and graduate endolymphatic hydrops or endolymphatic space dilations in patients with suspected Meniere's disease or immune-mediated inner ear disease by magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was performed including all the patients with clinical suspicion of Meniere's disease or immune-mediated inner ear disease treated at the Otolaryngology department during a one year period. In all cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in a 3T scanner. IR sequence was performed after 24 to 28h prior intratimpanic injection of gadolinium on both ears. Two neurorradiologist graduated endolymphatic space volume as agreed on normal, moderate and significant in the obtained images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of hydrops was documented by MRI in six patients with definite or probable Meniere's disease. In two of the four cases without vertigo hydrops was not demonstrated. In the other two cases with a high clinical suspicion of immune-mediated disease but with negative autoimmune tests hydrops was proved. There was only disagreement on cochlear hydrops presence on two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The detection of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with definite or probable Meniere's disease served to confirm the final diagnosis. Moreover, hydrops was detected in patients with suspected immune-mediated inner ear disease, which could have an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. Therefore, we suggest that this test could be included for the diagnosis of these inner ear diseases.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España. Electronic address: mtunongomez@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tuñón Gómez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital El Escorial, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lobo Duro
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brea Álvarez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda (Madrid), España.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: García-Berrocal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018159:Endolymphatic Hydrops / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000069555:Injection, Intratympanic; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005682:Gadolinium
keywords: Administración intratimpánica; Endolymphatic hydrops; Enfermedad de Ménière; Gadolinio; Gadolinium; Hidrops endolinfático; Intratympanic application; Magnetic resonance imaging; Ménière's disease; Resonancia magnética