The Significance of Fast Spin Echo MRI in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients with acoustic neuroma(AN) may have sudden sensorineural hearing loss(S-SNHL). The prevalence of AN in patients with S-SNHL is 0.8% to 30%. Thus, a lot of diagnostic tools have been used to screen of AN from S-SNHL. Usually, Gadolinium(Gd) enhanced MRI have been recommended. Recently, Fast spin echo MRI(FSE MRI) have been shown to be equally effective in detection of acoustic neuroma as Gd enhanced MRI. OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of FSE MRI as a screening test in patients with S-SNHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1995 to August 1996, We evaluated FSE MRI and Gd enhanced MRI for 45 patients with S-SNHL. RESULT: We could screen 4 cases of AN patient from them. CONCLUSION: FSE MRI is effective in the detection of AN in S-SNHL patients.