CT scan of the ossicles by instillation of liquid in the middle ear

Abstract

Recent advance of CT scan make it possible to visualize the middle ear structure, such as ossicles, cochlea and facial canal. However, even the latest CT scanner with a high resolution of about 1mm is insufficient for visualizing entire sturcture of ossicles, because in the middle ear which is containing air, a fine part of ossicles is not detected and it could not be visualized due to the partial volume effect.
To reduce the partial volume effect and to get more exact visualization, the CT picture was taken after the instillation of liquid in the middle ear.
As a result of the above, the precise CT view of the ossicles especially long processus of the incus and incudostapedial joint was obtained.