Temporal bone anatomy and imaging features of common conditions causing hearing loss: A pictorial review

Congress:

ECR 2012

Poster Number:

C-1892

Type:

Educational Exhibit

Keywords:

Inflammation, Congenital, Computer Applications-3D, MR, CT, Head and neck

Authors:

A. Masukawa, H. Takeuchi, J. Araki, Y. Takada; Tokyo/JP

DOI:

10.1594/ecr2012/C-1892

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/ecr2012/C-1892

Fig. 6: Flow chart for diagnosing conductive or mixed hearing loss with CT

Fig. 7: Illustration of staging system for cholesteatoma

Fig. 8: Axial (a) and coronal (b) CT images of attic cholesteatoma (Stage 4) show soft...

Fig. 9: Axial sequential CT images of advanced attic cholesteatoma (Stage 4) show...

Learning objectives

To understand the normal anatomy of the temporal bone from the 3-dimensional (3D) aspect To identify important anatomical landmarks in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans related to hearing loss diagnosis To recognize the imaging features of various conditions that cause hearing loss

Background

CT and MRI are general imaging procedures essential for diagnosing hearing loss, but their use is limited in clarifying the very small anatomical features of the temporal bone. Recent improvements in imaging equipment have enabled 3D analysis of the temporal bone anatomy from various angles. Important anatomical landmarks for diagnosing hearing loss external auditory canal tympanic membrane ossicles (3: malleus, 3’: incus, 3’’: stapes) prussack space scutum tympanic tegmen tympanic sinus facial nerve fossa facial nerve antrum of mastoid oval window vestibule semicircular canals (13:...

Imaging findings OR Procedure details

There are 2 kinds of hearing loss, conductive and/or sensorineural. Some diseases that cause hearing loss demonstrate normal radiologic findings, for example, stapes footplate fixation, sudden deafness, senile deafness, acoustic trauma, and psychogenic deafness; others can be diagnosed by CT/MRI. Radiologists should be familiar with the imaging features of these diseases. We review the main diseases that can be diagnosed by CT/MRI and present those imaging findings. Conductive or mixed hearing loss ♣Chronic otitis media Chronic otitis media (COM) lasts 3 months or more. Most...

Conclusion

Radiologists should be familiar with the imaging features of the temporal bone, especially for diagnosing hearing loss. Understanding the anatomical features of the normal temporal bone in three dimensions helps accurate evaluation of hearing loss. Furthermore, knowledge regarding anatomical landmarks important for diagnosing hearing loss is necessary for appropriate patient management.

Personal Information

References

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