Value of high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of residual cholesteatomas in primary bony obliterated mastoids

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 230 - 234
• Main Authors: De Foer, Bert, Vercruysse, Jean-Philippe, Pouillon, Marc, Somers, Thomas, Casselman, Jan W, Offeciers, Erwin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2007; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - diagnosis; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - surgery; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Mastoid - diagnostic imaging; Mastoid - pathology; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Monitoring, Intraoperative - methods; Neoplasm, Residual; Otolaryngology; Otologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Tumors; High resolution; Radiodiagnosis; Cholesteatoma; Mastoid; Medical imagery; ENT disease; Tumor; Computerized axial tomography; Detection; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2006.09.010

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study was to assess the value of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including postcontrast T1 -weighted images and echo-planar diffusion-weighted (EP-DW) images, in the detection of residual cholesteatomas after primary bony obliteration of the mastoid. Patients and methods Twenty-three patients underwent a second-look surgery 8 to 18 months after they underwent a primary bony obliteration technique. All patients were evaluated by HRCT and MRI before their second-look surgery. A retrospective analysis was performed. Results A residual cholesteatoma was found in 2 of the 23 patients; both cases of cholesteatoma had a diameter less than 4 mm. In these 2 patients, residual cholesteatoma was found in the middle ear cavity and not in the obliterated mastoid. In all cases, HRCT showed a homogeneous obliteration of the mastoid cavity. On MRI, only one cholesteatoma pearl was detected using contrast-enhanced T1 -weighted imaging. Findings from the EP-DW imaging were negative for all cases. Conclusion This study demonstrates that HRCT is still the imaging technique of choice for the evaluation of bony obliterated mastoids. It shows the low sensitivity and specificity of HRCT for the characterization of an associated opacified middle ear and those of contrast-enhanced T1 -weighted imaging and EP-DW imaging for the detection of small residual cholesteatomas after primary bony obliteration.