THE EFFECTS OF 1.5 TESLA CONTRAST-ENHANCED TEMPORAL BONE MRI ON THE AUDITORY FUNCTIONS AND COMPLAINTS OF GERIATRIC PATIENTS WITH TINNITUS

摘要

Introduction: Temporary hearing threshold shift might develop after noise exposure due to magnetic resonance imaging. We aimed to investigate the effects of acoustic noise during 1.5 Tesla temporal bone MRI on audiometric tests and disturbance self-reports in patients with tinnitus. Materials and Method: Sixty-three symptomatic ears of 55 patients with persistent tinnitus were included in this study. Sound level recordings of imaging room were made with dosimeter. Two age groups ( 65 years) were created. Hearing thresholds were measured before, 24 hours after and 1 month after performing magnetic resonance imaging. Visual analogue scale, tinnitus handicap inventory and the Beck depression inventory were applied to all patients before and 24 hours after the imaging. Results: The mean intensity of acoustic noise during imaging was recorded as 99.3±3.4 dBA (109.9±4.1 dB). The threshold shifts were statistically higher in patients aged ?65 than the ones aged 65 for 2000 and 4000 frequencies (p0.05). The mean temporary shifts in tinnitus loudness were 5.00±6.495 dB and 10.17±11.179 dB for the patients with age65 and age?65 respectively (p = 0.018). While majority of the time dependent effects were significant for audiometric tests; they were insignificant for self-reported questionnaires, except visual analogue scale 5, which was higher in patients aged65 (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Acoustic noise due to 1.5 Tesla temporal bone magnetic resonance imaging caused hearing threshold shifts and deterioration in intensity and disturbance of the tinnitus especially in elderly. Hearing protection is essentially required for all patients, when it is indicated.