Inner ear malformations in patients with sensorineural hearing loss: detection with gradient-echo (3DFT-CISS) MRI.

The sensitivity of different MRI sequences in the detection of inner ear malformations in patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and/or vertigo was evaluated. We studied 650 patients presenting with SNHL and/or vertigo, clinically not suspected of having inner ear malformations. The sensitivity of T1-weighted, Gd-enhanced T1-weighted and (when available) T2-weighted spin-echo images, and three-dimensional Fourier transformation-constructive interference in steady state (3DFT-CISS) gradient-echo images, to unexpected malformations was assessed.

Magnetic resonance examination of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle in patients with vertigo and/or abnormal findings at vestibular testing.

The inner ears of 167 patients with vertigo and/or abnormal findings at vestibular testing were studied using magnetic resonance (MR). Pathology potentially explaining vertigo was found in 54 patients, and was detected in the posterior fossa (28%), the internal auditory canal (28%) and the membranous labyrinth (44%). The overall percentage of pathology and the percentage of pathology found in the membranous labyrinth was high and was probably influenced by the referral pattern in our hospital where high resolution MR of the inner ear (three dimensional Fourier transformation-constructive interference in steady state sequence; 3DFT-CISS sequence) is available.

[Hearing loss following lumbar puncture: case report and literature study].

This report describes a patient with permanent hearing loss after spinal anesthesia. The literature is reviewed, particularly concerning incidence and possible causes. The incidence is surprisingly high and related to the size of the needle.

Pathology of the membranous labyrinth: comparison of T1- and T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced spin-echo and 3DFT-CISS imaging.

Purpose: To assess the value of unenhanced T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images, and three-dimensional Fourier transformation-constructive interference in steady state (3DFT-CISS) images in depicting lesions of the membranous labyrinth.

Methods: Six patients were studied using 1-T MR; both enhanced (gadolinium-tetraazacyclododecane tetraacetic acid) and unenhanced images were obtained and different sequences compared to determine which provided the most information.

Results: A combination of gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted and 3DFT-CISS images could depict all membranous labyrinth pathology.

Constructive interference in steady state-3DFT MR imaging of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle.

Purpose: To assess the value of a three-dimensional Fourier transformation MR technique "CISS" (constructive interference in steady state) in imaging the inner ear.

Subjects: We studied 50 normal inner ears (40 axial, 10 coronal) and 10 pathologic inner ears in 60 patients.

Results: The cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibulum were visualized in detail.