Image analysis
The routine sequence is utilized for the purpose of excluding neoplastic lesions of the brain and inner ear, as well as malformations of the inner ear. According to Kim’s method of measuring signal intensity9, we selected a 4 mm2 region of interest located at the optimal display position of the bilateral inner auditory canal bottom, we conducted three measurements and calculated the average value. A 50mm2 region of interest (ROI) was selected from the bilateral cerebellar white matter at the same level (Figure1a ). The signal intensity ratio between the average signal intensity at the IAC bottom on the affected side and unaffected side were calculated. The signal intensity ratio served as an indicator of the extent of enhancement at the IAC bottom, while our previous measurements were utilized to evaluate the degree of cochlear and vestibular hydrops8, 10. The images of all patients were assessed in a double-blind manner by two experienced imaging diagnostic physicians with 30 years of expertise, and the mean value of their measurements was calculated.