Temporal Bone CT Scan for Malleal Ligaments Assessment

Objective: To determine the feasibility of using temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scans to identify malleal ligaments and the prevalence of calcification in malleal ligaments. Study Design: Retrospective case review. CT scans were blindly and retrospectively reviewed by two physicians (a radiologist and a nonradiologist). Scans differed by slice thickness, and included both conventional CT and cone beam CT (CBCT). Setting: Ambulatory tertiary referral center. Patients: One hundred fifty-one temporal bone CT scans, obtained between the years 2014 and 2017, were initially screened, which included 302 ears. Patients with previous tympanomastoid surgery or middle ear opacification were excluded, leaving 187 ears in the study. Intervention: Diagnostic. Main Outcome Measure: Percentage of visible normal and calcified malleal ligaments. Results: Scans with submillimeter slice thickness were more likely to demonstrate all three malleal ligaments than those with 1 ml and larger slices (83.7% versus 50.0% for nonradiologist, p 
Source: Otology and Neurotology - Category: ENT & OMF Tags: MIDDLE EAR AND MASTOID DISEASE Source Type: research