Fracture mimics on temporal bone CT: a guide for the radiologist.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to discuss and illustrate commonly visualized fissures and sutures in the temporal bone. This topic is important because a thorough knowledge of normal anatomy is necessary to avoid misinterpretation as fractures.

CONCLUSION

Small normal anatomic fissures are now routinely visualized with the increasing use of MDCT in trauma patients. An awareness of these structures is required by radiologists interpreting studies with fine temporal bone slices to prevent erroneous interpretation.