[Virtual otoscopy--technique, indications and initial experiences with   multislice spiral CT].
We report the standardized postprocessing of high-resolution CT data acquired by incremental CT and multi-slice CT in patients with suspected middle ear disorders to generate three-dimensional endoluminal views known as virtual otoscopy.


METHODS
Subsequent to the definition of a postprocessing protocol, standardized endoluminal views of the middle ear were generated according to their otological relevance. The HRCT data sets of 26 ENT patients were transferred to a workstation and postprocessed to 52 virtual otoscopies.


RESULTS
Generation of predefined endoluminal views from the HRCT data sets was possible in all patients. Virtual endoscopic views added meaningful information to the primary cross-sectional data in patients suffering from ossicular pathology, having contraindications for invasive tympanic endoscopy or being assessed for surgery of the tympanic cavity. Multi slice CT improved the visualization of subtle anatomic details such as the stapes suprastructure and reduced the scanning time.


CONCLUSIONS
Virtual endoscopy allows for the non invasive endoluminal visualization of various tympanic lesions. Use of the multi-slice CT technique reduces the scanning time and improves image quality in terms of detail resolution.
Klingebiel
R
R
Abt. Neuroradiologie, Institut für Radiologie, Charité, CM. Randolf.Klingebiel@charite.de
Bauknecht
H C
HC
Lehmann
R
R
Rogalla
P
P
Werbs
M
M
Behrbohm
H
H
Kaschke
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000379:methods*; D019720:Otoscopes; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface