title: Imaging diagnostics: congenital malformations and acquired lesions of the inner ear.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital malformations and acquired lesions of the inner ear are characterised by small structural changes in this region. In recent decades, treatment options have improved considerably. At the same time, there has been a great advancement in diagnostic methods, obtaining high-resolution labyrinth images. Currently, we use a 64-multislice computed tomography scanner in spiral mode (Brilliance 64 Phillips, Eindhoven, the Netherlands), with an overlap of 0.66 mm and an interval of 0.33 mm, 120 KV and 300 mA. The magnetic resonance images were taken with Signa HDxt 1.5 and 3.0 T units (GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, USA). We reviewed the radiological features of the lesions affecting the inner ear. They are classified as congenital (labyrinth malformation and statoacoustic nerve deficiencies) or acquired (otospongiosis, labyrinthitis, Ménière's disease, inner ear haemorrhage, intralabyrinthine schwannoma and endolymphatic sac tumour).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography play an essential role in diagnosing patients with inner ear pathology. The technique selected should be chosen depending on the clinical setting. In a generic way, tomography is the method of choice for the study of traumatic pathology or otospongiosis. When tumour or inflammatory pathology is suspected, magnetic resonance is superior. In cases of congenital malformation, both techniques are complementary.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital General de Onteniente, Valencia, España. Electronic address: elenapont@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pont
authors.affiliation: Sección de Neurorradiología y Radiología Cabeza-Cuello, Servicio de Radiología Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazón
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología, Hospital La Ribera, Alzira, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Pau
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montesinos
authors.affiliation: Sección de Neurorradiología y Radiología Cabeza-Cuello, Servicio de Radiología Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Sección de Neurorradiología y Radiología Cabeza-Cuello, Servicio de Radiología Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Más-Estellés
mesh_terms: D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000145:classification; D018292:Cystadenoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Aplasia coclear; Cochlear aplasia; Computed tomography; Incomplete partition; Inner ear; Magnetic resonance; Malformations; Menière; Ménière's disease; Otoesclerosis; Otosclerosis; Oído interno; Partición incompleta; Resonancia magnética; Tomografía computerizada; malformaciones