Yong Guo MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Yang Liu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Qiaohui Lu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lijing Shi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kuihong Zheng MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the normal appearance and variation of stapes on 3DVR CT.

Temporal bone 1024 high-resolution CT scans were obtained using 128 detector row CT scanner in 136 normal ears from 136 patients who had undergone temporal bone CT for the evaluation of the unilateral acute or chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma. A 3DVR of middle ear was performed on work station (Philips EBW 4.0) and stapes was evaluated independently by two radiologists experienced in anatomy and pathology of temporal bone. The normal appearance and variation of stapes on 3DVR CT was divided into 6 types according to the shape of crura.

The anterior and posterior crura showed normal in 72 (52.9%) ears. The anterior or/and posterior crura showed absent in 19 (14%) ears including whole absent in 3 (2.2%) ears and partial absent in 16 (11.8%)ears, thinning in 40 (29.4%)ears including whole thinning in 4 (2.9%)ears, partial thinning in 27 (19.9%) ears and stenosis in 9 (6.6%) ears, thinckening in 7 (5.1%) ears, fusion in 2 (1.5%) ears, shortening in 7 (5.1%) ears (two variations may coexist in one ear).

The variation of stapes on 3DVR CT was diversiform and in high ratio.

It should be very cautious to preoperatively assess the pattern and extent of anterior and posterior crura destruction on 3DVR images in cases of chronic suppurative otitis media.

Guo, Y, Liu, Y, Lu, Q, Shi, L, Zheng, K, The Normal Appearance and Variation of Stapes Demonstrated by 3D Volume Rendering Reconstruction (3DVR) with High-Resolution CT.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11034280.html