News • Inner ear disorder

Using advanced X-ray technology to fight Ménière's disease

The organ of balance in the inner ear is surrounded by the hardest bone in the body. Using synchrotron X-rays, researchers at Uppsala University have discovered a drainage system that may be assumed to play a major role in the onset of Ménière's disease, a common and troublesome disorder.

The results are published in the journal Scientific Reports

Ménière's disease is manifested in sudden onset of severe dizziness (vertigo) attacks, hearing impairment and tinnitus. Accumulation of excess fluid in the inner ear is thought to cause the disorder, from which approximately an estimated 30,000 people in Sweden suffer.

Photo
A synchrotron X-ray of the balance organ of the human inner ear shows a kidney-shaped canal with a diameter of just approx. 0.5 mm. The inner ear has been reconstructed three-dimensionally in a computer program, and the surrounding bone has been made transparent. The green-coloured vessels surrounding the canal are thought to absorb and clean the fluid in the inner ear. It is believed that disruption of this function may cause Ménière's disease.

Image source: Uppsala University

The researchers behind the new scientific article have investigated the organs in the human inner ear, which are very difficult to study. This part of the ear is enclosed by the body’s hardest bone. Using synchrotron X-ray imaging, an advanced and powerful form of computer tomography (CT), the scientists were able to study the organ of balance with its surrounding blood vessels. Since the technology generates energy too high for use on living humans, donors’ temporal bones were used.

The images of the inner ear were reconstructed to make a three-dimensional model in the software, Inside the hard bone, the researchers discovered a drainage system that is thought to explain how the fluid in the inner ear is absorbed. This discovery may bring about an improved understanding of how and why Ménière's disease arises.


Source: Uppsala University

22.05.2020

Related articles

Photo

Sponsored • Computed tomography and digital radiography

State-of-the-art CT and DR imaging for Gjilan

United Imaging announces that it has provided the Unicamed Hospital in Gjilan, Kosovo, with two state-of-the-art systems – the uCT 528 80-slice CT scanner and the uDR 266i digital radiography…

Photo

News • Joint statement from BIR and UKHSA

Radiation dose: clinical need should trump previous exposures, experts say

Should radiation dose from previous medical imaging be considered when a new scan is made? UK experts issued a joint position statement that favors clinical need over prior exposures.

Photo

News • Imaging equipment

Dunlee unveils oncology bundles at ECR 2023

Dunlee unveiled its new oncology bundles onsite at ECR. The bundles combine components that have been tested and verified to work together so clinicians can offer state-of-the-art onboard Cone Beam…

Related products

Subscribe to Newsletter