Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2006 Jan;49(1):7-12.
The Diagnostic Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jwchung@amc.seoul.kr
- 2Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and to analyze the various clinical aspects and treatments of the patients with abnormal MRI findings.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We retrospectively reviewed medical and radiological records of patients with SSNHL over 5-year period. All consecutive patients took gadolinium-enhanced MRI including whole brain and all MRIs were evaluated by experienced independent investigators.
RESULTS
Twelve patients (8.0%) had obvious etiologies of SSNHL, which consisted of 5 cases of vestibular schwannoma, 3 cases of tumors of cerebellopontine angle, 3 cases of pontine infarction, and 1 case of inflammatory granuloma of internal auditory canal. One patient (0.7%) had possible etiologies of SSNHL, which was labyrinthitis ossificans.
CONCLUSION
Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including whole brain seems to be an essential examination in patients with SSNHL and we recommend its application.