Imaging of the temporal bone.

High-resolution CT remains the imaging modality of choice for investigation of the temporal bone, especially if there is suspicion of bony involvement. The advances in two- and three-dimensional reconstruction are helpful for visualizing complex osseous structures. Nevertheless, the most exciting advances regarding imaging of the temporal bone were achieved in MR imaging. Improvement of surface-coil technology, application of gadopentetate dimeglumine, and development of new imaging sequences led to an increasing importance for MR imaging, especially in inflammatory diseases. Soft tissue structures in neoplastic diseases in the temporal bone are better depicted on MR imaging. Therefore, in some cases, both modalities are used to detect soft tissue and bony abnormalities of the temporal bone, especially for cases using surgical management.