Correlation analysis of 3D-FLAIR MRI characteristics of the inner ear and vestibular function in the patients with vestibular neuritis
Jian Huirong, Hu Na, Li Xiaofei, Lyu Yafeng, Li Yawei, Fan Zhaomin, Wang Haibo, Zhang Daogong
Abstract
ObjectiveThe characteristics of 3D-FLAIR MRI images of the inner ear of patients with vestibular neuritis were preliminarily studied to explore the possible pathogenesis of vestibular neuritis, and the correlation analysis was conducted in combination with vestibular function to provide a basis for accurate diagnosis of vestibular neuritis.
MethodsA total of 36 patients with vestibular neuritis (VN) from December 2019 to October 2020 were collected from the Vertigo Department of Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University. There were 36 cases (18 females, 18 males) with unilateral acute vestibular neuritis, 17 cases of left ear and 19 cases of right ear. According to the results of 3D-FLAIR MRI in the inner ears, the patients were divided into the enhanced group and the non-enhanced group (the health side served as the normal control group). The results of vestibular function examination in the two groups were compared. SPSS19.0 software was used for statistical processing to analyze the relationship between the vestibular function and the characteristics of 3D-FLAIR imaging in the inner ears.
ResultsAbnormal enhancement of 3D-FLAIR was found in 31 cases (86.1%) of the 36 cases, including 14 cases of both vestibular nerve and vestibular terminal organ enhancement, eight cases of superior vestibular nerve enhancement alone, seven cases of vestibular terminal organ enhancement alone, and two cases of cochlear enhancement alone. Observation of abnormal reinforcement of vestibular nerve showed: twenty-one cases of superior vestibular nerve reinforcement, one case of superior and inferior vestibular nerve reinforcement. No abnormalities were found in 3D-FLAIR of inner ear in 5 cases. According to the analysis of vestibular function results, there were 19 cases (52.8%) with total vestibular involvement, sixteen cases (44.4%) with superior vestibular involvement alone, and one case (2.8%) with inferior vestibular involvement alone. Comparison of vestibular function between the five cases (non-enhancement group) and the 31 cases (enhanced group) in the 3D-FLAIR group of the inner ears showed that the CP values of caloric tests in the enhanced group were higher (60.81±3.49 vs 34.12±7.37), with statistically significant difference (t=-2.898, P<0.01).
ConclusionIn patients with vestibular neuritis, 3D-FLAIR MRI scan of the inner ear provides visual imaging evidence for clinical practice, considering that the lesion site of vestibular neuritis is not only in the vestibular nerve, but also in the vestibular end organ. Patients with 3D-FLAIR enhanced in the inner ear may have more significant vestibular function damage.
Key words:
Vestibular neuritis; Vestibular function; 3D-FLAIR MRI; Inner ear
Contributor Information
Jian Huirong
Department of Vertigo Disease, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Shandong Institute of Otolaryngology, Jinan 250022, China
Hu Na
Medical Imaging Center, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Li Xiaofei
Department of Vertigo Disease, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Shandong Institute of Otolaryngology, Jinan 250022, China
Lyu Yafeng
Department of Vertigo Disease, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Shandong Institute of Otolaryngology, Jinan 250022, China
Li Yawei
Department of Vertigo Disease, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Shandong Institute of Otolaryngology, Jinan 250022, China
Fan Zhaomin
Department of Vertigo Disease, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Shandong Institute of Otolaryngology, Jinan 250022, China
Wang Haibo
Department of Vertigo Disease, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Shandong Institute of Otolaryngology, Jinan 250022, China
Zhang Daogong
Department of Vertigo Disease, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
Shandong Institute of Otolaryngology, Jinan 250022, China
