Frequency of cochlear enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for enhancement of inner ear structures of patients with sensorineural hearing loss and documented antibodies to the 68-kd inner ear antigen. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review with reexamination of MRI scans. SETTING: Outpatient office. PATIENTS: Thirty-five patients with autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss defined by audiograms documenting a sensorineural hearing deficit in one or both ears and the presence of an anti-inner ear antibody (68-kd band) in serum samples who underwent precontrast and postcontrast T1-weighted axial and coronal MRI scans of the inner ear, which were performed concurrently with the hearing loss. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency and intensity of cochlear enhancement on MRI scans. RESULTS: One patient demonstrated +2 cochlear enhancement. However, that finding was thought to represent postoperative inflammatory change. CONCLUSION: No correlation was found between the presence of antibodies to inner ear antigen in patients with hearing loss and cochlear enhancement on MRI scans.