Does An MRI (with Contrast) Of The IAC Show Venous

Posted on Thu, 1 Nov 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 Nov 2018 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Does an MRI (with contrast) of the IAC show venous issues also?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It will help in studying arterial and venous abnormalities

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

MRI contrast scan of the IAC will show the vessels surrounding the IAC in detail. Vessels mean ateries and veins. Therefore the IAC contrast MRI should be showing venous abnormalities involving the cerebello pontine angle area which is near the IAC area.

Please do write back if you have any particular details regarding your clinical condition.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (40 minutes later)

Thanks, I have pulsative tinnitus in one ear and was ordered for an MRI for IAC. I was worried that maybe it would be better for an MRI/A or a CT angiogram. Also, would you happen to know if there are any benign causes of pulsative tinnitus?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find most benign causes of pulsatile tinnitus in the following

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

Usually CT scan and CT angiography are reserved for suspected problems in the bone and if there is a possible vascular lesion.

MRI of the IAC is the preferred examination when a problem is suspected in the nerve pathways and CT is not as good for this purpose.

Causes for pulsatile tinnitus are the following
Tympanic cavity pathology
Temporal bone pathology, e.g., otosclerosis (benign), Paget disease (benign), and LCH (malignant)
Paraganglioma (malignant)
Hypervascular metastasis or meningeoma (malignant)
Vascular channel dehiscence or variant (benign)
Aberrant ICA or stapedial artery (benign)
Vascular loops, neurovascular conflict (benign)
Arteriovenous fistula (benign)
Arteriovenous malformation superficial (benign)
Vessel wall pathology, e.g., atherosclerosis, FMD, or dissection (benign)
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (benign)

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar