ULTRAHIGH RESOLUTION COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY IN THE PREOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF MENIERES-DISEASE

By means of ultrahigh resolution computed tomography imaging of very small labyrinthine structures such as the vestibular aquaeduct and the rima sacci endolymphatici is possible. Aim of the present study was to demonstrate the significance of ultrahigh resolution CT in the preoperative management of Meniere's disease. The study was carried out on 16 patients who underwent endolymphatic mastoidal shunt operation. Postoperative imaging and clinical findings were compared. By means of ultrahigh resolution technique the vestibular aquaeduct could be examined in all of our patients. Two CT-findings of atresia of the external aperture were confirmed intraoperatively. Preoperative ultrahigh resolution computed tomography is a reliable method to demonstrate the distinct variability of the oto-surgical landmarks for endolymphatic shunt operation. There is no reliable correlation between the width, shape and bony contrast of the vestibular aquaeduct and the postoperative outcome. Thus in our opinion preoperative ultrahigh resolution computed tomography is mandatory for the preoperative management of Meniere's disease.