Virtual otoscopy - technique, indications, and initial experience with multi-slice spiral CT.

We report the standardized postprocessing of high-resolution CI data acquir ed by incremental CT and multi-slice CT in patients with suspected middle e ar disorders to generate three-dimensional endoluminal views known as virtu al otoscopy. Materials and methods: Subsequent to the definition of a postp rocessing protocol, standardized endoluminal views of the middle ear were g enerated according to their otological relevance. The HRCT data sets of 26 ENT patients were transferred to a workstation and postprocessed to 52 virt ual otoscopies. Results: Generation of predefined endoluminal views from th e HRCT data sets was possible in all patients. Virtual endoscopic views add ed meaningful information to the primary cross-sectional data in patients s uffering from ossicular pathology, having contraindications for invasive ty mpanic endoscopy or being assessed for surgery of the tympanic cavity. Mult i slice CT improved the visualization of subtle anatomic details such as th e stapes suprastructure and reduced the scanning time. Conclusion: Virtual endoscopy allows for the non invasive endoluminal visualization of various tympanic lesions. Use of the multi-slice CT technique reduces the scanning time and improves image quality in terms of detail resolution.