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Cochlear signal alterations using pseudo-color perceptual enhancement for patients with sensorineural hearing loss

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Abstract

Background

Neuroimaging detection of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)-related temporal bone abnormalities is limited (20–50%). We hypothesize that cochlear signal differences in gray-scale data may exceed the threshold of human eye detection. Gray-scale images can be post-processed to enhance perception of tonal difference using “pseudo-color” schemes.

Objective

To compare patients with unilateral SNHL to age-matched normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams for “labyrinthine color differences” employing pseudo-color post-processing.

Materials and methods

The MRI database at an academic children’s hospital was queried for “hearing loss.” Only unilateral SNHL cases were analyzed. Sixty-nine imaging exams were reviewed. Thirteen age-matched normal MR exams in children without hearing loss were chosen for comparison. Pseudo-color was applied with post-processing assignment of specific hues to each gray-scale intensity value. Gray-scale and pseudo-color images were qualitatively evaluated for signal asymmetries by a board-certified neuroradiologist blinded to the side of SNHL.

Results

Twenty-six SNHL (mean: 7.6±3 years) and 13 normal control exams (mean: 7.3±4 years) were included. All patients had normal gray-scale cochlear signal and all controls had symmetrical pseudo-color signal. However, pseudo-color images revealed occult asymmetries localizing to the SNHL ear with lower values in 38%. Ninety-one percent of these cases showed concordance between the side of pseudo-color positivity and the side of hearing loss.

Conclusion

Pseudo-color perceptual image enhancement reveals intra-labyrinthine fluid alterations on MR exams in children with unilateral SNHL. Pseudo-color image enhancement techniques improve detection of cochlear pathology and could have therapeutic implications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Children’s National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA

    Matthew T. Whitehead

  2. The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA

    Matthew T. Whitehead, Lori M. Guillot & Brian K. Reilly

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

    Lori M. Guillot & Brian K. Reilly

  4. Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Lori M. Guillot

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  1. Matthew T. Whitehead
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  2. Lori M. Guillot
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  3. Brian K. Reilly
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Correspondence to Matthew T. Whitehead.

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Whitehead, M.T., Guillot, L.M. & Reilly, B.K. Cochlear signal alterations using pseudo-color perceptual enhancement for patients with sensorineural hearing loss. Pediatr Radiol 51, 1448–1456 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-021-04987-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-021-04987-z

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