title: Visualisation of the Bonebridge by means of CT and CBCT.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the Bonebridge, a new bone-anchored hearing aid has been available since March 2012. The objective of the study was to analyse the visualisation of the implant itself as well as its impact on the representation of the bony structures of the petrosal bone in CT, MRI and cone beam CT (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Bonebridge was implanted unilaterally in two completely prepared human heads. The radiological imaging by means of CBCT, 64-slice CT, 1.5-T and 3.0-T MRI was conducted both preoperatively and postoperatively. The images were subsequently evaluated from both the ENT medical and nd radiological perspectives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As anticipated, no visualisation of the implant or of the petrosal bones could be realised on MRI because of the interactive technology and the magnet artefact. In contrast, an excellent evaluability of the implant itself as well as of the surrounding neurovascular structures (sinus sigmoideus, skull base, middle ear, inner ear, inner auditory canal) was exhibited in both the CT and in the CBCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Bonebridge can be excellently imaged with the radiological imaging technologies of CT and CBCT. In the process, CBCT shows discrete advantages in comparison with CT. No relevant restrictions in image quality in the evaluation of the bony structures of the petrosal bones could be seen.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital for ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Baldingerstraße, 35043, UKGM, Marburg, Germany. gueldner@staff.uni-marburg.de.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Güldner
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinrichs
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weiß
authors.forename: Annette Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dassinger
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bien
authors.forename: Jochen Alfred
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Isabell
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diogo
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D019736:Prostheses and Implants