Imaging of inflammatory and infectious diseases in the temporal bone

Inflammatory and infectious diseases of the temporal bone are a major indication to perform high-resolution CT and MR imaging studies. Such studies allow one to evaluate the extent of the disease in the soft tissues and in the bony structures of the temporal bone. On these same imaging studies the possible extension of the infection to surrounding regions is visualized. In this article a segmental approach is used, focusing on four structures in the temporal bone: the external ear, the otomastoid and petrous apex, the inner ear, and the facial nerve. For each of the four sections imaging findings are described and illustrated, and if relevant a differential diagnostic approach is highlighted.