Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Abstract

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common form of vestibular dysfunction associated with marked distress and a decrease in the quality of life of patients. The purpose of the study was to improve the MRI imaging of the semicircular canals in the norm and in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 80 patients (images of semicircular canals of 160 temporal bones were obtained). Among them, there were 65 patients with vertigo and 15 patients without vestibular symptoms. All patients underwent standard brain MRI on a magnetic resonance tomograph SIGNA EXCITE HD 1.5T Twin Speed (GE, MEDICAL SYSTEMS), supplemented with a pulse sequence of 3D FIESTA-C. The most common symptom in patients with BPPV was point defects of filling in the right posterior semicircular canal. It is advisable to include MRI in the diagnostic algorithm for patients with vertigo along with positional techniques and traditional methods of examining the vestibular analyzer. Examination of patients with vestibular vertigo using the pulse sequence (3D FIESTA-C) is more accurate than the standard MRI technique and provides important diagnostic information.