Diagnostic values of intravenous glycerol test and inner ear imaging with intratympanic gadolinium injection in Meniere’s disease
ZHANG Mengdie
JIN Zhanguo
XU Xianrong
ZHANG Yang
LI Yuanjun
LUO Jinye
Abstract：Objective To study the value of intravenous glycerol test and endolymph space contrast examination by 3D-FLAIR MRI after intratympanic gadolinium injection in the diagnosis of Meniere's disease. Methods Eighty nine cases of Meniere's disease (6 bilateral cases, 95 ears) diagnosed between May 2015 and July 2016 received glycerol fructose test (250 ml, with pure tone tests before and 1, 2 and 3 hour after infusion). Pure tone threshold improvement of 15 dB or more at any 2 frequencies, or 10 dB or more at two adjacent frequencies or at any 3 frequencies or more was considered indicating a positive result. Fifty five patients (including 4 with bilateral Meniere’s disease, total 59 ears) received 3D-FLAIR MRI 24 h after intratympanic gadolinium injection. Results from the two tests were compared. Results Among the 95 ears, glycerol test was positive in 62 ears (65.3%). There was no nausea, vomiting or other adverse reactions. In the 59 ears where results from both tests were available, the rate of positive 3D-FLAIR MRI with gadolinium contrast was 96.6%(57/59), while the rate of positive glycerol test was 67.8% (40/59),(χ2=16.741, P<0.01). Conclusion Both glycerol test and 3D-FLAIR MRI with gadolinium contrast examination showed certain value in the diagnosis of Meniere's disease. Glycerol test is simple, with minimal instrument and technique requirement, and probably suitable for medical centers of all levels. Whereas 3D-FLAIR MRI with gadolinium contrast yields higher positive rate and increased accuracy in diagnosis and for research, but is technology demanding.
Keywords：Meniere’s diseaseEndolymphatic hydropsMagnetic resonance imagingGadolinium DTPAGlycerol test
Publication Date：2016-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 499-503 )