[Virtual endoscopy view of ossicular chain in the congenital aural atresia]

To investigate the function of virtual endoscopy in assessing ossicular chain deformity in the congenital ear malformation.

In 23 cases 28 ears with congenital atresia of external auditory meatus. A high resolution spiral CT is used to display the temporal bone by axial and direct coronal planes. Perspective virtual endoscopy was processed using the virtual endoscopy software. To compare the views of the operative exploration and the virtual endoscopy then draw the responding conclusions.

Twenty-eight ears with congenital microtia were showed ossicular deformity in 25 ears, while flache pauke in 3 ears. Twenty-four ears treated by canaloplasty of external auditory meatus and tympanoplasty, hammer and incus hypoplasia in 19 ears, stapes abnormity were demonstrated in 11 ears, ossicles absence in 3 ears, vestibular window clausura in 1 ears. The coincidence between Virtual endoscopy and operating view were 100% in cases with congenital ear deformity.

Virtual endoscopy can provide reliable information on the ossicles pathological conditions in congenital congenital aural atresia.