OBJECTIVES: The advancement of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has enabled clinicians to detect endolymphatic hydrops, thereby prompting interest in distinguishing between Ménière disease (MD) and vestibular migraine (VM) in patients presenting with vertigo, headache, hearing loss, ear fullness, and tinnitus....
Audiologists and neurotologists evaluating patients with overlapping Meniere disease and vestibular migraine presentations may find MRI-based hydrops detection a useful adjunct for differential diagnosis, though availability and cost will limit immediate widespread adoption.
Reliably distinguishing Meniere disease from vestibular migraine with objective imaging could reduce diagnostic delays and improve targeted treatment for two commonly confused vestibular disorders.
- 01Prospective design strengthens causal inference compared to retrospective chart reviews.
- 02High-resolution MRI used to visualize endolymphatic hydrops (fluid excess in the inner ear).
- 03Aims to objectively differentiate Meniere disease from vestibular migraine — a longstanding clinical challenge.
- 04Published in Otology & Neurotology (2026).
- 05MRI hydrops detection is not yet standard of care and requires specialized imaging protocols.
High-resolution MRI can detect endolymphatic hydrops and differentiate Meniere disease from vestibular migraine.
studypartially supportedEndolymphatic hydrops on MRI is a distinguishing feature between Meniere disease and vestibular migraine.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42456062
- DOI
- 10.1097/MAO.0000000000005003.
- Journal
- Otology & Neurotology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Patients presenting with suspected Meniere disease or vestibular migraine
- Intervention
- High-resolution MRI imaging for endolymphatic hydrops detection
- Comparator
- Vestibular migraine diagnosis (clinical)
Primary outcomes
Detection of endolymphatic hydrops on MRI; Diagnostic differentiation of Meniere disease vs. vestibular migraine