Temporal bone trauma: High-resolution computed tomographic evaluation

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) was used to examine 12 patients with temporal bone trauma. The CT findings were correlated with the clinical signs and symptoms (hearing loss, facial nerve dysfunction) and with the operative findings in the 5 patients who underwent surgery. CT was able to demonstrate ossicular chain disruption or fractures causing the clinical findings in the majority of cases. The CT findings affected patient care by alerting the otologist to the abnormalities likely to be encountered during surgery.