[Study of the middle ear. Value of multiplanar reconstructions in spiral tomodensitometry]

We point out the interest of computed tomographic reconstructions from spiral acquisition--particularly sagittal reconstructions--in the study of middle ear anatomy and adjacent structures: the facial canal and the chorda tympani. The reference reconstructions are axial and coronal reconstructions. So, we demonstrate the superiority of sagittal reconstructions for the visualization of the lateral process of the malleus, the body and long process of the incus, the third portion of the facial canal, and the chorda tympani. For the other structures of the middle ear and the other parts of the facial canal, these sagittal reconstructions are complementary. Besides, the best type of reconstruction to visualize the stapes and the vestibular window is the axial plane parallel to the stapes axis.