[High-resolution CT of temporal bone trauma: review of 38 cases].

PURPOSE: Temporal bone trauma is frequent but difficult to assess due to the diversity of clinical presentations and complex anatomy. We have sought to assess the different types of fractures and complications on high-resolution CT. Materials and methods. Descriptive retrospective study over a 24 month period performed in the ENT radiology section of the Mohammed VI university medical center in Marrakech. A total of 38 cases of temporal bone trauma were reviewed. All patients underwent ENT evaluation and high-resolution CT of the temporal bone using 1mm axial and coronal sections.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 33 years (range: 14-55 years) with male predominance (sex ratio: 36/2). Clinical symptoms were mainly otorrhagia and conductive hearing loss. Oblique extra-labyrinthine fractures were most frequent. Two cases of pneumolabyrinth were noted. Management was conservative in most cases with deafness in 3 cases.

CONCLUSION

High-resolution CT of the temporal bone provides accurate depiction of lesions explaining the clinical symptoms and helps guide management. MRI is complimentary to further assess the labyrinth and VII-VIII nerve complex.