Magnetic resonance imaging of cholesteatoma: an update.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the value and limitations of new MRI techniques in pre- and post-operative MRI of cholesteatoma. The current value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing congenital, acquired, and post-operative recurrent or residual cholesteatoma is described.


RESULTS
High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is still considered the imaging modality of choice for detecting acquired or congenital middle ear cholesteatoma. However, MRI may provide additional information on the delineation and extension of cholesteatoma and on potential complications. Detecting post-operative residual or recurrent cholesteatoma with HRCT was shown to be inaccurate due to the technique's low sensitivity and specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
Recently, improvements in MRI techniques have led to a more accurate diagnoses of cholesteatoma using delayed contrast enhanced T1-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging.
Vercruysse
J Ph
JP
University Department of ENT, A.Z. Sint-Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium. jphver@yahoo.com
De Foer
B
B
Somers
T h
Th
Casselman
J
J
Offeciers
E
E
D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media