Dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus are common symptoms that may require an MRI. For many years, this exam has been considered a screening tool for rare diseases such as vestibular schwannoma, multiple sclerosis, and ischaemic events of the posterior fossa. MRI using the internal auditory canal (IAC) protocol failed to diagnose the most frequent conditions leading to these symptoms and was therefore frequently normal.

Over the last decade, advances in MRI have led to the development of new sequences that allow detailed analysis of the inner ear components, particularly the membranous labyrinth. These new MRI acquisitions use high-resolution dedicated inversion-recovery sequences (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)), with delayed acquisition and deep-learning reconstructions, in order to obtain a high contrast between endolymphatic and perilymphatic compartments.

These technical advances, correlated with those of vestibular functional explorations performed in otoneurology, have generated a new dynamic in the understanding and management of cochleovestibular disorders. This presentation is intended to make you an active participant in the radiological transition towards new MRI protocols for clinical conditions whose exploration has been limited for too long.

This educational talk offers 1 CPD credit.