High-Resolution Computed Tomography of Temporal Bone

Abstract

The purpose of this 4-part series is to demonstrate the high-resolution axial and coronal anatomy of temporal bone from a flat-panel detector-based volume computed tomography (CT) scanner (parts I and II); these imaging planes are then used to outline the effect of different surgical procedures commonly applied to the temporal bone (parts III and IV). The structures that are removed and/or altered in 11 different surgical procedures are color coded and inscribed in axial and coronal sections. Clinically important imaging features and complications after these operations are also discussed. In these high-resolution images, many structures that are below the resolution limit of conventional CT can be seen and localized. It is hoped that this exposition enables one to visualize these structures and surgeries in the mind's eye, even when they fall below the resolution limit using a conventional CT scanner. This article (part II) focuses on the preoperative coronal anatomy.