Magnetic resonance imaging and sudden deafness.

Sudden deafness is a disorder defined as acute sensorineural deafness of unknown etiology. To determine whether establishing the pathogenesis of this disease is possible, this study analyzed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of early stages of sudden deafness in combination with the clinical results of treatments. The MRI findings of 18 patients with sudden deafness included three cases of slow blood flow of the vertebrobasilar system, one case of abnormal course of the vertebrobasilar system, and one case of labyrinthine enhancement. MRI showed many abnormal findings in the temporal bone of sudden-deafness patients who also complained of vertigo. As compared with normal cases, the cases showing abnormal findings on MRI did not respond well to treatment. We concluded that MRI is indispensable for examining patients with sudden deafness, especially those who have accompanying vertigo.