INTRATYMPANIC THERAPIES FOR INNER EAR DISORDERS 

Otorinolaringologia 2010 September;60(3):165-70

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Intratympanic gadolinium administration for evaluation of endolymphatic space size and drug movement into the inner ear

Nakashima T., Naganawa S., Sone M., Teranishi M.

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan 2 Department of Radiology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan

Aim. To evaluate how intratympanically administered drugs move into the inner ear during intratympanic drug therapy of inner ear diseases.
Methods. Intratympanic injection of gadolinium (Gd) contrast agents was conducted and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 1 day after the injection in 120 patients with inner ear diseases.
Results. Gd that entered the perilymphatic space was visualized. However, in 18% of ears Gd enhancement was not present or poor because of the disturbed permeability of the round window membrane. Because the endolymphatic space was not enhanced by Gd, it could also be visualized.
Conclusions. Intratympanic Gd injection and MRI provide useful information for intratympanic drug therapy for the treatment of inner ear diseases.