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Long-term follow up after bony mastoid and epitympanic obliteration: radiological findings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 September 2009

J-P Vercruysse*
Affiliation:
University Department of ENT, Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
B De Foer
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
T Somers
Affiliation:
University Department of ENT, Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
J Casselman
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium Department of Radiology, AZ Sint-Jan AV Hospital, Bruges, Belgium
E Offeciers
Affiliation:
University Department of ENT, Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Jean-Philippe Vercruysse, University Department of ENT, St Augustine Hospital, Oosterveldlaan 24, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium. Fax: 0032 3 443 36 11 E-mail: jphver@yahoo.com

Abstract

Objective:

The canal wall up bony obliteration technique lowers the incidence of recurrent cholesteatoma, but carries the potential risk of obliterating residual cholesteatoma. The objective of this study was to report long-term follow-up radiological findings after performing a canal wall up bony obliteration technique procedure, in order to detect residual and/or recurrent cholesteatoma.

Patients:

Fifty-one patients presenting with a cholesteatoma or a troublesome cavity were operated upon using the canal wall up bony obliteration technique, and were evaluated by follow-up imaging a mean of 76.4 months post-operatively (range, 53.8–113.6 months).

Intervention:

All patients were evaluated with high resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (including delayed contrast, T1-weighted imaging and non-echo-planar, diffusion-weighted imaging).

Results:

Imaging revealed the presence of one residual, one recurrent and one congenital petrosal apex cholesteatoma. On high resolution computed tomography, completely obliterated mastoid filled with bone was observed in 74.5 per cent (38/51) of patients, and an aerated middle-ear cavity in 64.7 per cent (33/51). High resolution computed tomography clearly detected any associated soft tissue present in the middle-ear cavity (18/51) and in the obliterated mastoids (13/51), but could not characterise this tissue. Non-echo-planar, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging clearly identified all three cholesteatomas, and differentiated them from other associated soft tissues. No cholesteatoma was found within the obliterated mastoids.

Conclusion:

Long-term follow up indicated that the canal wall up bony obliteration technique is a safe method with which to treat primary and recurrent cholesteatoma and to reconstruct unstable cavities. Soft tissue was found quite often in the middle ear and obliterated mastoids. High resolution computed tomography identified its presence but could not further characterise it. However, non-echo-planar, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging succeeded in differentiating soft tissues, enabling detection of residual or recurrent cholesteatoma after a canal wall up bony obliteration technique procedure.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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