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Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings for primary middle-ear carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2013

F Zhang  and
Y Sha
F Zhang
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Y Sha*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Yan Sha, Department of Radiology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, 83 Fen Yang Road, Shanghai, PR China, 200031 Fax: +86 21 64377151 E-mail: cjr.shayan@vip.163.com
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Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of primary middle-ear carcinoma.

Methods:

In this retrospective study of 13 patients with primary middle-ear carcinoma, we collected pre- and post-contrast magnetic resonance images for all 13 cases, high-resolution computed tomography scans for 11 cases, and conventional computed tomography scans with contrast for 2 cases.

Results:

Soft-tissue masses were mainly located in the tympanum, tympanic sinus and deep within the external auditory canal, and involved the jugular fossa (9 of 13 patients), middle cranial fossa (5/13), parotid gland (2/13) and temporomandibular joint fossa (1/13). An irregular, ‘moth-eaten’ bone destruction pattern was seen on high-resolution computed tomography images, most commonly in the eustachian tube (9/13), jugular foramen (9/13) and facial nerve canal (7/13). On non-contrast magnetic resonances images, masses were isointense or slightly hypointense on T1-weighted images, and isointense or slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted images. On post-contrast images, lesions were moderately and homogeneously enhanced in seven cases and inhomogeneously enhanced in six.

Conclusion:

High-resolution computed tomography precisely detects regions of bone destruction, whereas MRI can better assess soft-tissue tumour margins, intracranial extension and vessel patency. Eustachian tube erosion is an important characteristic of primary middle-ear carcinoma.

Keywords

Ear, MiddleEar NeoplasmsTomography, X-Ray ComputedMagnetic Resonance
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 6 , June 2013 , pp. 578 - 583
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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