Radiography of the auditory ossicles: a review

Plain films capable of demonstrating the composite shadow of the ossicular chain included the 105 degrees base, the lateral oblique of Meyer or Owen, the anteroposterior transtemporal of Chausse and the anteroposterior transorbital of Guillen. The stapes and the incudostapedial joint can not be shown with plain films. The hypocycloidal anteroposterior or Guillen is the best of tomograms and may be supplemented by lateral, inclined lateral or basal examinations. The individual ossicles, including the stapes can be demonstrated as well as the incudostapedial joint. Axial and coronal cuts with high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) demonstrate with clarity all ossicular parts commonly involved in otologic pathology. Conventional tomography and HRCT are complementary in all other temporal bone structures but the latter proved superior in ossicular visualization.