Temporal bone imaging

The pathology of the temporal bone may represent for many radiologists a rather complicated and a relatively not well-known anatomical structure. The pathological processes involving the temporal bone, and in particular the inner ear, have been for a long time predominantly evaluated by computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging in recent years, thanks to significant technological progresses, has been acquiring a more important role not only in the study of the inner ear, where it is the first diagnostic procedure, but also of the middle ear. This book of only 240 pages, enriched by 244 clear and demonstrative illustrations, intends to be a practical guide in the evaluation of the various pathologies which involve the temporal bone. These are presented schematically, but in an exhaustive manner. The text is composed of seven principal sections, each one subdivided into particular chapters. The first part is dedicated to embryology and anatomy, with suggestions on the best technological procedure of examination for each pathology. Technical recommendations are also given in each new chapter discussing a different pathology. In the sections that follow, the various pathologies involving the outer, middle, and inner ear are presented. Briefly discussed at the end are the lesions caused by trauma, and of particular interest is the part dedicated to the postoperative changes, which are illustrated by beautiful and demonstrative schematic drawings.