Computerized tomographic evaluation of the middle ear and mastoid for posttraumatic hearing loss

High resolution computerized tomography has been proven valuable in all aspects of temporal bone study. The importance of the procedure in evaluation of traumatic lesions, particularly of the middle ear, has been underemphasized. Damage to the middle ear may occur with blunt trauma, penetrating injury, or barotrauma. Conductive hearing loss and/or CSF otorrhea may result. Detailed evaluation of the ossicles is the hallmark of properly performed computerized tomographic evaluation.