Thin section computed tomography of the temporal bone.

The applications of computed tomography (CT) in temporal bone studies have increased because of thin sections (less than 2 mm), high spatial resolution (less than 0.8 mm) and high resolution reconstruction algorithms. Thin section CT was performed in 56 patients suspected of having acoustic neuromas, other tumors, cholesteatomas or fractures. High resolution experimental image reconstruction was performed in some cases. In most cases, the pathologic process was demonstrated as well or better on CT scans than on complex motion tomograms. We concluded that high resolution, thin section CT is the technique of choice to evaluate patients with temporal bone tumors. CT is an effective means of studying patients with large cholesteatomas and fractures, although conventional tomography may be complementary in some cases. The value of CT in patients with otosclerosis and inflammatory disease of the middle ear should be evaluated more extensively.