Association of contrast-enhanced MRI of inner ear and caloric response in patients with clinically diagnosed ipsilateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops.

BACKGROUND

Patients with delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) often show caloric hypofunction and endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) on gadolinium (Gd) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the inner ear.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the relationship between the ELH and caloric results in ipsilateral DEH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve patients with ipsilateral DEH were included, who underwent delayed MRI following intratympanic Gd application, pure-tone audiometry, caloric test, and video head impulse test (vHIT).

RESULTS

For the affected ears, the overall prevalence of inner ear hydrops was 91.7%, including 75% in the cochlear and 50% in vestibular compartment. For the non-affected ears, the overall prevalence of inner ear hydrops was 25%, including 25% in cochlear and 16.7% in vestibular region. Caloric hypofunction was demonstrated in 75% of the affected ears. No pathologic vHIT were found. Caloric results were in agreement with the radiological evidence of inner ear hydrops on affected and non-affected ears in 9 cases. There was fair concordance between inner ear hydrops and canal paresis abnormality on the affected side.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

MRI provides auxiliary evidence of ELH in the ipsilateral DEH-affected ears. The association between morphological alterations and caloric hypofunction warrants further investigation.