title: CT Findings in the External Auditory Canal after Transcanal Surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Middle ear surgery is often performed through the external auditory canal, and the CT appearance of the external auditory canal after transcanal middle ear surgery can mimic erosive pathology such as carcinoma, external auditory canal cholesteatoma, or necrotizing external otitis. We reviewed the CT findings in a group of patients following transcanal surgery to highlight this potential pitfall in interpretation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven temporal bones in 25 patients with a history of a transcanal approach to the middle ear and available postoperative CT imaging were identified. Images were assessed for changes along or involving the walls of the external auditory canal, including widening, irregularity, bony defects, and soft tissue opacification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Osseous changes along the floor of the external auditory canal were demonstrated in 25 of 27 (92.6%) temporal bone CT scans. Similar changes were present in the superior and anterior walls of the external auditory canal in 21 and 18 temporal bones, respectively. The anterior wall was the most common site for complete bony defects (10 of 27 temporal bones). The posterior wall was the least often involved, with osseous changes in 15 of 27 temporal bones and bony defects in 3 cases. Soft tissue thickening was seen most commonly along the floor. No patient was found to have a superimposed pathologic process of the external auditory canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT findings in the external auditory canal after transcanal surgery include thinning, irregularity and/or flattening of the bone, soft tissue thickening, and bony wall defects. Although these changes may be subtle, they may mimic pathology and should be included in the differential diagnosis of osseous abnormality of the external auditory canal.
authors: From the Radiology Department (V.M.), Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand Department of Radiology (V.M., H.D.C., H.R.K.), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Mingkwansook
authors: Department of Radiology (V.M., H.D.C., H.R.K.), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: H D
authors: HD
authors: Curtin
authors: Department of Radiology (V.M., H.D.C., H.R.K.), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts Division of Neuroradiology (H.R.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. hillary.kelly@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors: H R
authors: HR
authors: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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