title: The role of computed tomography scanning in chronic otitis media.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of high-definition computed tomography (CT) in chronic otitis media (COM) patients and to present which parameters were useful or misleading for preoperative evaluation for management. Fifty cases of COM that underwent preoperative CT scanning at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively analyzed. Their CT scan reports were compared with the operative findings. The patients had undergone tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy for COM between April 2008 and January 2010. Patient charts were used to obtain the necessary data. In 62% (31/50) of cases, the CT scan showed the presence of cholesteatoma. Operative findings revealed cholesteatoma in 61.8% (19/31) of these cases. However, when a bone eroding soft tissue mass involved the epitympanum on CT, the presence of cholesteatoma was observed in 83.3% (15/18) of cases intraoperatively. Cholesteatoma was present in the mastoid or middle ear intraoperatively in 77.7% (7/9) of patients with an external ear bony canal defect found on CT. Despite 89.7, 85.29, and 90% agreement ratios for dehiscence of facial canal, lateral semicircular canal, and tegmen, respectively, CT could not detect dehiscence of these anatomic structures successfully. Based on these results, CT scanning has limitations but is a useful adjunct for the surgical management of COM patients.
authors: Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital, 1st ENT Clinic, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey. arzutatli@yahoo.com
authors: Arzu
authors: A
authors: Tatlipinar
authors: Arzu
authors: A
authors: Tuncel
authors: Evren Ay
authors: EA
authors: Öğredik
authors: Tanju
authors: T
authors: Gökçeer
authors: Celil
authors: C
authors: Uslu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult