Conebeam CT of the Temporal Bone: Normative Linear Biometry of Inner Ear Structures
6 affiliations
- 1From the Neuroradiology Unit (G.C., E.M., F.M.L.R., A.V.G., S.C., E. Scola., F.T.), Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- 2Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (G.C., F.T.), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
- 3Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology (E.S.), ARNAS Civico Di Cristina-Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
- 4Audiology Unit (F.D.B., D.Z.), Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- 5Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (F.D.B., L.M.G., D.Z.), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
- 6Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (L.M.G.), Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Normative linear measurements of inner ear structures may enhance diagnostic accuracy in detecting subtle congenital abnormalities. This study aimed to establish conebeam CT (CBCT)-based normative reference values for temporal bone anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive CBCT scans of normal temporal bones acquired between June 2022 and June 2024. Scans were classified as normal based on the absence of pathologic findings and no history of otologic disorders. Eleven linear measurements of inner ear structures were independently performed by 2 radiologists, and interobserver agreement was assessed. Reference centiles were generated for each parameter. RESULTS: A total of 319 patients (135 men, 184 women; mean age, 50.03 years; range, 3 months-91 years) were included. Interobserver reliability was high across all measurements. Age and sex showed a small effect on any measurement. Normative centile distributions for all 11 structures were established. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides robust CBCT-derived normative linear measurements of inner ear structures. These reference values may improve radiologic assessment of congenital hearing loss, particularly in patients with normal-appearing CT examinations.
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BibTeX
@article{conte2026conebeam,
title = {{Conebeam CT of the Temporal Bone: Normative Linear Biometry of Inner Ear Structures}},
author = {Giorgio Conte and Eliana Schifano and Elisa Massullo and Francesco Maria Lo Russo and Antonia Valentina Genovese and Silvia Casale and Elisa Scola and Federica Di Berardino and Lorenzo Maria Gaini and Diego Zanetti and Fabio Triulzi},
journal = {AJNR: American Journal of Neuroradiology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3174/ajnr.a9302},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.a9302},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Conebeam CT of the Temporal Bone: Normative Linear Biometry of Inner Ear Structures
AU - Giorgio Conte
AU - Eliana Schifano
AU - Elisa Massullo
AU - Francesco Maria Lo Russo
AU - Antonia Valentina Genovese
AU - Silvia Casale
AU - Elisa Scola
AU - Federica Di Berardino
AU - Lorenzo Maria Gaini
AU - Diego Zanetti
AU - Fabio Triulzi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - AJNR: American Journal of Neuroradiology
DO - 10.3174/ajnr.a9302
UR - https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.a9302
AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Normative linear measurements of inner ear structures may enhance diagnostic accuracy in detecting subtle congenital abnormalities. This study aimed to establish conebeam CT (CBCT)-based normative reference values for temporal bone anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive CBCT scans of normal temporal bones acquired between June 2022 and June 2024. Scans were classified as normal based on the absence of pathologic findings and no history of otologic disorders. Eleven linear measurements of inner ear structures were independently performed by 2 radiologists, and interobserver agreement was assessed. Reference centiles were generated for each parameter. RESULTS: A total of 319 patients (135 men, 184 women; mean age, 50.03 years; range, 3 months-91 years) were included. Interobserver reliability was high across all measurements. Age and sex showed a small effect on any measurement. Normative centile distributions for all 11 structures were established. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides robust CBCT-derived normative linear measurements of inner ear structures. These reference values may improve radiologic assessment of congenital hearing loss, particularly in patients with normal-appearing CT examinations.
SN - 0195-6108
SN - 1936-959X
ER -