Multislice spiral computed tomography imaging in congenital inner ear malformations.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of congenital inner ear malformations.


METHODS
Forty-four patients with sensorineural hearing loss were examined on a Somatom Sensation 16 (Siemens) CT scanner. The 3-dimensional reconstructions and multiplanar reformation (MPR) were performed using the volume-rendering technique (VRT) on the workstation.


RESULTS
Of the 44 patients examined for this study, 25 patients were found to be normal and 19 patients (36 ears) were diagnosed with congenital inner ear malformations. Of the malformations, the axial, MPR, and VRT images can all display the site and degree in 33 of the ears. Volume-rendering technique images were superior to the axial images in displaying the malformations in 3 ears with small lateral semicircular canal malformations. The common malformations were Michel deformity (1 ear), common cavity deformity (3 ears), incomplete partition I (3 ears), incomplete partition II (Mondini deformity) (5 ears), vestibular and semicircular canal malformations (14 ears), enlarged vestibular aqueduct (16 ears, 6 of which had other malformations), and internal auditory canal malformation (8 ears, all accompanied by other malformations).


CONCLUSIONS
Multislice spiral CT allows a comprehensively assessment of various congenital inner ear malformations through high-quality MPR and VRT reconstructions. Volume-rendering technique images can display the site and degree of the malformation 3-dimensionally and intuitionisticly. This is very useful to the cochlear implantation.
Ma
Hui
H
Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. dmahui@hotmail.com
Han
Ping
P
Liang
Bo
B
Tian
Zhi-liang
ZL
Lei
Zi-qiao
ZQ
Kong
Wei-jia
WJ
Feng
Gan-sheng
GS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*