title: Value of temporal bone density measurements in otosclerosis patients with normal-appearing computed tomographic scan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies demonstrated that otosclerosis diagnosis benefits from temporal bone density measurements. We sought to assess bone density measurements of the fissula ante fenestram (FAF) in normal patients, in patients with otosclerosis, and in patients with cholesteatoma. We discuss the value of temporal bone density measurements in patients with otosclerosis who have a normal-appearing computed tomographic (CT) scan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective case-control study in which 219 temporal bones (123 adults, 18 to 84 years of age) were included between November 1, 2002, and April 30, 2004. All patients underwent a CT scan of the temporal bones. Axial views were obtained with density measurement of the FAF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FAF density was significantly different (p < .0001) in the otosclerosis group (n = 119) compared to the control group (n = 100). There was no significant difference between the otosclerosis group with a normal-appearing CT scan and the control group (p = .64).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From our results, it may be suggested that 1) temporal bone density measurements seem not to be strictly comparable between CT scan devices; and 2) temporal bone density measurements of the FAF did not allow the diagnosis of otosclerosis when the CT scan appeared normal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lyon Sud Hospital, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tringali
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Pouget
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bertholon
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubreuil
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018488:Bone Demineralization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed