Quantitative analysis of inner ear anomalies by high resolution CT scanning of the temporal bone

High resolution CT-scanning of the temporal bone revealed malformations of the labyrinthine capsule in 50 ears in our clinic from November 1980, to the end of 1984. Detailed assessment of the nature and extent of the abnormality allowed each ear to be awarded a mathematical score. Using statistical methods, the score was then correlated with the patient's hearing in that ear. By this method it was possible, with an 80% chance of being correct, to allocate a patient into one of two groups, i.e. partial deafness or total deafness.