Value of high-resolution computed tomography in diagnosis of petrous bone fracture

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) was performed on 31 patients clinically suspected of having petrous bone fracture. The location of the fracture was demonstrated accurately in 28 patients (90.3%), whereas it could be diagnosed by plain skull film in only 17 patients (54.8%). The anatomic location of fractures demonstrated by high-resolution CT clearly corresponded to the clinical symptoms and signs. We have classified petrous bone fracture into five types according to the anatomic levels demonstrated on CT images. The findings indicate that high-resolution CT is extremely useful for diagnosing petrous bone fracture.