Learning objectives
The aims of this exhibit are(1) to review the temporal boneanatomy; (2) to review the protocols for acquisition and major indications for CT imaging of the temporal bone; and (3) to provide template reports,
standard and advanced reformats for the radiological assessment for each clinical indication.
Background
TEMPORAL BONE ANATOMY
The temporal bone consists of five parts: the squamous,
mastoid,
petrous,
tympanic and styloidportions.The squamous portion articulates with the occipital,
parietal and sphenoid bones,
and is part of the lateral wall of the middle cranial fossa and medial wall of the temporal fossa.The petrous is a quadrangular pyramid-shaped mass of the inner surface of the temporal bone,
it extends to the petrous apex and contains the inner ear structures (vestibule,
semicircular canals,
cochlea) and virtually most neurovascular compartments (internal auditory canal,
carotid...
Findings and procedure details
PROCEDURE DETAILS
ACQUISITION TECHNIQUE
PATIENT POSITION
Patient mustbe placed in supine position and the lens of the eyes have to be as far as possible out of the radiation area.
The head shouldbe immobilizedin a neutral position; for this porpuse,it is useful to adjust the patient's head with pillows to establish the correct position taking into account the reference lines.
The sagittal reference line mustbe located in the mid-sagittal plane crossing the glabella and gnathion.
The axial reference line must be parallel to the orbitomeatal...
Conclusion
CT imaging is an useful technique for the assessment of pathologies of the temporal bone.
As the temporal bone involves complex and small structures,
the knowledge of the anatomy by the radiologist and a high quality of the CT imaging are very important in order to achieve the imaging goals and to answer the clinician questions.
Although the conventional reformats are sufficient in most cases,
the advanced reformats are helpful in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy for the characterization of temporal bone pathologies,
mainly...
References
Girons-Bonells J,
Fontes-Carame D,
Fité-Gallego A,
Masuet-Aumatell C,
Maños-Pujol M.
Estudio comparativo mediante tomografía computarizada de la morfología de la sutura timpanoescamosa enter colesteatoma atical y oídos sanos.
Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española.
2010;61(1):19-25.
Swartz J,
Loevner L.
Imaging of the temporal bone.
4th edition.
Thieme.
2009.
Zayas J,
Feliciano Y,
Hadley G,
Gomez A,
Vidal J.
Temporal bone trauma and the role of multidetector CT in Emergency Department.
Neurologic and emergency imaging.
2011;31(6):1741-1755.
Mallo M,
Giordanengo C,
Bertona C,
Bertona J,
Ginea C,
Florez M.
Estudio...