[Computerised tomography in pre-operative imaging of middle ear cholesteatoma]

Computed tomography is today the best method of imaging to study chronic middle ear diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of CT scan in cases of middle ear cholesteatoma in children. The preoperative CT scans were compared with the operative findings in retrospective analysis of 60 ears operated between 1998-2001. Our results show good radiosurgical correlation in cholesteatoma for most middle ear structures except for the integrity of long process of incus. The disadvantage of CT scans is inability to distinguish between cholesteatoma, granulation tissue and effusion. CT scans are an important investigative tool prior to cholesteatoma surgery.