Comparative Study Using Computed Tomographic Thin-Section Zoom Reconstructions and Anatomic Macrosections of the Temporal Bone

Thin-section (1.5 mm) high-spatial-resolution computed tomography (CT) in combination with computerized high-resolution image reconstruction is an effective, noninvasive means of studying patients with a variety of temporal bone abnormalities. To determine what degree of definition and anatomic accuracy could currently be obtained by using these techniques, we performed thin-section CT and high-resolution image reconstruction with use of two fresh-frozen cadaver head specimens. We then compared these images with the actual anatomic macrosections subsequently obtained from the specimens. We concluded that high-resolution CT scans of temporal bone can produce accurate, highly detailed, diagnostic images of the internal auditory canal, vestibule, cochlea, vestibular aqueduct, semicircular canals, and middle ear space.