Contrast enhancement of the inner ear in magnetic resonance images taken at 10 minutes or 4 hours after intravenous gadolinium injection.

CONCLUSION: Contrast enhancement of the inner ear by three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI) taken 4 h after intravenous gadolinium (Gd) injection was better than when taken at 10 min. Using heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR MRI, visualization of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) was possible in the vestibule and the cochlea after a standard intravenous dose of Gd.

OBJECTIVES: To define a suitable time point for imaging Gd uptake in the inner ear acquired with heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR MRI after standard intravenous Gd administration.

METHODS: Using a 3 Tesla MRI unit, heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR MRI images were taken twice at approximately 10 min (conventional timing) and 4 h after intravenous gadodiamide (0.1 mmol/kg) injection in 10 patients with inner ear diseases including Ménière's disease.

RESULTS: The 4 h delay increased Gd enhancement of the 3D-FLAIR MRI images of the perilymphatic space in both symptomatic and asymptomatic ears. The increase in Gd enhancement was greater in symptomatic than in asymptomatic ears. Using this heavily T2-weighted 3D-FLAIR technique, EH was observed in both the cochlea and vestibule in images taken 4 h after the intravenous Gd injection.