CT OF THE TEMPORAL BONE - FINDINGS AFTER MASTOIDECTOMY, OSSICULAR RECONSTRUCTION, AND COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION

Because of its superior visualization of bone detail, compared with th at of MR imaging, CT commonly is used in patients who have had otomast oid or other forms of temporal bone surgery. The already complex anato my of the temporal bone is distorted by the combination of surgical pr ocedures and preexisting abnormalities, making proper identification o f the postoperative imaging studies difficult. The purpose of this ess ay is to familiarize radiologists with the more common neurootologic s urgical procedures and the expected postoperative findings in patients who have had this type of surgery. Special emphasis is placed on the indications for the procedure and the distinguishing features associat ed with each procedure.