Computer tomography in children and adolescents with suspected malformation of the petrous portion of the temporal bone

Purpose: To demonstrate HRCT findings and their therapeutic relevance in suspected congenital hearing disorders. Material and Methods: It was checked in 96 young patients if HRCT findings of the temporal bone could explain functional findings. Furthermore, the therapeutic consequences were noted. Results: Normal CT and normal functional findings were obtained in 49 temporal bones (TB). In conductive hearing loss (41 TB), dysplasias of the conducting apparatus (37 TB) and inflammatory changes (3 TB) were found. Combined hearing loss (18 TB) was clarified completely or partially in half the cases. There were 22 dysplasias of the inner ear, 3 dysplasias of the middle ear, 1 adandoned examination (2 TB), and 55 normal CT findings in senorineural hearing disorders (82 TB). 1 retardate had a malformation of the inner ear and, contralaterally, inflammatory middle ear. In cases of vestibular disorders (24 TB), 14 malformations of the inner ear were detected. (orig./AJ)