Contrast-enhanced MRI found to be superior to neuro-otological examinations for the diagnosis of inner-ear endolymphatic hydrops

For over a decade, grading of endolymphatic hydrops, a disease of the inner ear, has been achieved by using contrast-enhanced MRI. We compared the positivity rates between contrast-enhanced MRI and neuro-otological examinations. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed 83% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the diagnosis of lesions in the cochlear area. However, for the diagnosis of lesions in the vestibular area, the sensitivity was 87.5% and the specificity was 12.5%. On the other hand, the diagnostic sensitivities of neuro-otological examinations were 60%, 20%, 0%, and 100% for furosemide VEMP, furosemide VOR, glycerol test, and electro-cochleogram. These results suggest that contrast-enhanced MRI is the most valuable examination for the diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops.