A systematic review on delayed acquisition of post-gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging in Meniere's disease: imaging of the endolymphatic spaces

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the clinical implications of delayed-acquisition post-gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging in identifying endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease. MethodThis study was a systematic review using Medline and Embase and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines with predetermined criteria, namely Meniere's disease, post-gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging and endolymphatic hydrops. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool was used to assess bias. ResultsEleven studies were included; they all used 3T magnetic resonance imaging, with three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery being the most common sequence. Intravenous gadolinium administration was more widely used compared with the intratympanic route. As for the timing of acquisition, 4 hours post-administration was universally used for the IV gadolinium and 24 hours was used for the intratympanic gadolinium. Despite patient-selection associated bias, all studies reported adequate visualisation of the endolymphatic spaces. ConclusionThe use of delayed-acquisition magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly supported in visualising the endolymphatic spaces in Meniere's disease. Although the accessibility of 3T magnetic resonance imaging questions its wider applicability, it is a promising tool for the near future.