Virtual CT endoscopy of ossicles in the middle ear

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how virtual computed tomography (C T) endoscopy may help in assessing ossicles in the middle ear. Our series c onsisted of 96 ears of 68 consecutive patients with conducting hearing loss . All examinations were performed with a high-resolution spiral CT using ax ial and direct coronal planes of the temporal bone. Perspective virtual end oscopy was processed using the virtual endoscopic software. Superstructure of the stapes was difficult to evaluate on the virtual endoscopy; however, virtual endoscopy of the middle ear provides further information on the pat hological conditions including congenital anomaly, posttraumatic, and infla mmatory processes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.