The temporal bone: magnetic resonance imaging

MRI has made a remarkable impact upon diagnostic evaluation of the temporal bone and its diseases. Although high resolution CT is preferable for study of common maladies of the middle ear and optic capsule, MRI is currently the study of choice for evaluation of the internal auditory canal, cerebellopontine angle, and brainstem. MRI is also very useful in evaluations of complications of chronic otitis media. This manuscript is divided into sections on inflammatory disease, internal auditory canal/cerebellopontine angle, vascular compartments, facial nerve, and trauma. In addition, several miscellaneous entities are discussed.