Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the grade of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with “probable” and “definite” Ménière’s disease via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to determine whether MRI could assist clinicians in differential diagnosis between probable and definite Ménière’s disease.
Study Design
Prospective study.
Setting
Three-dimensional FLAIR MRI (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) to examine endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière’s disease.
Methods
A total of 51 patients diagnosed with probable (n = 20) or definite (n = 31) unilateral Ménière’s disease were enrolled. Three-dimensional FLAIR MRI was performed to evaluate the grade of endolymphatic hydrops. The differences in endolymphatic hydrops between the probable and definite groups were analyzed.
Results
The grade of endolymphatic hydrops was more severe in the definite group than in the probable group (P < .05).
Conclusion
MRI revealed a higher grade of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with definite Ménière’s disease than in patients with probable Ménière’s disease. As a result, it may be clinically useful and an effective tool in the differentiation between definite and probable Ménière’s disease.
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