High resolution computed tomography in stapedial otosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Otosclerosis is a common cause of conductive hearing loss.
• Accurate diagnosis and surgical planning are crucial for managing otosclerosis, particularly stapedial involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic value of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in stapedial otosclerosis.
• To assess the role of HRCT in surgical planning for otosclerosis.

Main Methods:

• 40 patients (age >14 years) with clinical otosclerosis underwent temporal bone HRCT.
• Axial images (0.5 mm slice thickness/interval) were reconstructed for optimal stapes footplate visualization.
• Footplate thickness and lesion site were measured; surgical outcomes were compared with intraoperative findings.

Main Results:

• HRCT diagnosed stapedial otosclerosis in 85% of ears.
• Sensitivity for detecting thickened footplates was 85.3%.
• Correct localization of otosclerotic foci occurred in 85% of cases (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• HRCT is valuable for diagnosing stapedial otosclerosis and predicting footplate thickness and lesion site.
• Pre-operative HRCT enables better surgical planning, estimating drilling requirements for stapedial fenestration.
• Multislice CT enhances data acquisition, reducing scan time and improving sensitivity.