Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The vestibular system, essential for balance and spatial orientation, spans from the inner ear to various brain regions. Advances in imaging techniques have significantly enhanced our ability to diagnose and treat vestibular disorders. This review explores the anatomy of the vestibular system and evaluates the roles of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing structural abnormalities. CT is particularly useful for identifying bony labyrinth anomalies, temporal bone fractures, and superior canal dehiscence, though it has limitations in visualizing membranous labyrinth lesions. MRI, with its superior soft tissue resolution, is preferred for detecting retrocochlear lesions such as vestibular schwannomas, cerebellopontine angle tumors, and demyelinating diseases in the posterior fossa. Functional MRI also offers insights into the vestibular system’s functional aspects. The review emphasizes the increasing importance of imaging diagnostics in the effective management of vestibular system diseases, highlighting both structural and functional imaging modalities to improve patient outcomes.
DOI: 10.14253/acn.24006
Author: Sun-Young Oh
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Awards: G2484595115, G4252182707
OpenAlex ID: W4409970208