Background: Temporal bone contains the most complex anatomic intricacies and so, becomes arduous for abnormality interpretation. In the era of MDCT with post processing tools, a question how much these tools are valuable in detecting the complex temporal bone pathologies interested us to conduct this study.

Method: Prospective correlation study, by Department of Radio diagnosis & Otorhinolaryngology from January 2017 to June 2018 in RMMCH, Chidambaram. 73 Cases with symptoms pertaining to temporal bone underwent HRCT in a 4 slice MDCT. Post-processed VR 3D images correlated with axial and coronal image findings. 

Results: Common age group of the study was 21- 30 years with more or less similar gender distribution. Most common indication was ear discharge followed by ear bleeding. Otitis media, cholesteatoma & fracture had highest percentage of HRCT diagnosis. VR 3D images demonstrated pathology in only 21.9%   which were fractures, bone erosions of glomus jugulare and other bone tumours.

Conclusion: VR 3D images of 4 Slice MDCT could demonstrate confidently gross pathologies involving temporal bone margins.   

Keywords: VR-Volume rendered, 3D-Three dimensional, MDCT- Multi Detector Computed Tomography, RMMCH-Rajah Muthiah Medical College & Hospital, HRCT-High Resolution Computed Tomography.

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Dr Pradeep Vel. M

Resident, Department of Radio Diagnosis, Rajah Muthiah Medical College & Hospital, Annamalainagar, Chidambaram

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