CT virtual endoscopy of the auditory ossicular chain: clinical applications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical applications and limitations of CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE) in the auditory ossicular chain. METHODS: CTVE of the auditory ossicular chain was performed with 1.0 mm collimation at pitch 1.0, bone algorithm, 9.6 cm field of view, and 0.1-0.2 mm reconstruction interval in 40 patients with middle ear diseases. 30 cases were confirmed by surgery. Results were compared with the findings of axial high resolution CT (HRCT) and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images and surgery. RESULTS: The accuracy of CTVE images in detecting ossicular destruction was 92.6%, significantly higher than that of axial HRCT (83.9%) and multiplanar reformation (76.5%) images. CTVE could also clearly reveal the postoperative condition and congenital dysplasia of the auditory ossicular chain. CONCLUSIONS: CTVE can clearly demonstrate a three-dimensional image of the auditory ossicular chain and is useful in evaluating diseases of the ear, especially the auditory ossicles. CTVE could not clearly demonstrate abnormal soft tissue within the tympanic cavity, abnormal changes of the tympanic membrane and tympanic walls, and could be easily influenced by artificial factors.