High resolution computed tomography of the temporal bone

The radiation dose and the anatomic detail of computed tomography (CT) and conventional tomography were studied in 18 patients with suspected acoustic neuroma, cholesteatoma, malignant tumor, and temporal bone fracture. It is concluded that CT is the technique of choice in patients suspected of having acoustic neuromas or malignant tumors of the temporal bone, while hypocycloidal tomography should be used to evaluate pateints with otosclerosis, small cholesteatomas, and inflammatory disease of the middle ear. For diagnosing fractures and large cholesteatomas, CT and conventional tomography are complementary.