The technique of direct multiplanar high resolution CT of the temporal bone

The technique of direct multiplanar high resolution CT opens new possibilities for detecting even the smallest lesions of the central nervous system and its coverings. The prerequisites are: Submillimetre spatial resolution. Thin slice thickness collimation. Sufficient radiation dose to keep the noise in the image around about 1%. No waiting time between scans other than short reconstruction times, or use of rapid sequence scan procedures. Possibility to position patients and immobilize them for direct scanning of coronal and sagittal planes without significantly reducing the patient's comfort. Possibility of using optional algorithms which improve spatial resolution further (MacroView) in order to bring out very fine details. This article describes the technique we have used in order to fulfil these prerequisites and also gives a few results relating to the imaging of the facial nerve canal.