The clinical value of three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between findings of three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D FLAIR MRI) and baseline as well as outcome variables of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). DATA SOURCES: Publications of all languages listed in PubMed and EMBASE STUDY SELECTION: Studies of ISSHL patients without primary treatment and precontrast 3D FLAIR MRI scan was performed. DATA EXTRACTION: Demographical and clinical characteristics of patients were extracted and the quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DATA SYNTHESIS: Continuous and dichotomous data was synthesized in Inverse Variance and Mantel-Haenszel models, respectively. The aggregate results were estimated and displayed in forest plots. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high signal (HS) in inner ear on 3D FLAIR MRI indicated more severe initial hearing loss, and the existence of HS in inner ear on 3D FLAIR MRI increased the incidence of vertigo by 2.88 times. Meta-analysis of the dichotomous data of hearing recovery rate showed the hazard of recovery in HS group was significantly less than the one in no signal (NS) group. The pooled hearing improvement in decibels also favored NS group, but statistically the difference was not significant.