Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Mastoid Cavity and the Middle Ear: Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Incidental Abnormal Findings in a Non-ENT Adult and Pediatric Population / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of abnormalities in the mastoid cavity and middle ear in a non-ENT population, and to correlate with clinical data. SUBJECTIVES AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study. We prospectively evaluated a total of 100 adults and 30 children undergoing MRI scan for suspected intracranial pathology from May to July 2003. Patients who had previous history of mastoid/middle ear surgery and were suffering otitis media were excluded. The T2-weighted images were reviewed. The abnormalities found on MRI were divided into 1) mastoid cavity abnormality, and 2) middle ear abnormality. All patients were asked to complete a questionnaire pertaining to symptoms of mastoid/middle ear pathology and history of previous otitis media. Also, their ears were examined carefully by otoscope or otomicroscope. RESULTS: In both groups, most of abnormalities were found in the mastoid cavity. Analysis of the clinical data revealed that abnormal MRI findings of the mastoid cavity were significantly correlated to clinically significant mastoid/middle ear diseases in adults. CONCLUSION: Incidental MRI abnormalities in mastoid cavity and middle ear detected in a non-ENT population were relatively uncommon, compared to incidental paranasal sinus abnormalities. However, clinicians should remember the possibility of the pathologies that demand active treatment among these abnormalities, especially when high signal abnormality is found in the mastoid cavity of adults.