Comparison of computed tomography and pluridirectional tomography of the temporal bone.

Abstract

During pluridirectional tomography dense bone creates ghost shadows that simulate chronic disease and soft-tissue masses within the middle ear cavity. This effect was demonstrated in 3 dried [human] skulls. Cholesteatomas were simulated in 3 more temporal bones with a mixture of 2% iodine in paraffin. Three different high-resolution computed tomographic scanners clearly demonstrated middle ear anatomy and the simulated soft-tissue masses in the skulls.