Virtual otoscopy for evaluating the inner ear with a fluid-filled tympanic cavity in dogs.
10.4142/jvs.2012.13.4.419
- Author:
Youngkwon CHO
1
;
Jimo JEONG
;
Haebeom LEE
;
Minsu KIM
;
Namsoo KIM
;
Kichang LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Radiological Technology, Daegu Health College, Daegu 702-722, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
computed tomography;
dog;
otitis media;
virtual otoscopy
- MeSH:
Animals;
Blister;
Cochlea;
Dogs;
Ear;
Ear, Inner;
Ear, Middle;
Eustachian Tube;
Incus;
Otitis Externa;
Otitis Media;
Otoscopy;
Stapes
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science
2012;13(4):419-424
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The feasibility of virtual otoscopy (VO) imaging was evaluated in five dogs with experimentally induced otitis media, two control dogs, and two canine patients with otitis media. VO images of the tympanic cavity and ossicles were generated with commercially available software using raw computed tomography (CT) data. Eight out of 10 ears inoculated with pathogen exhibited obvious clinical signs associated with otitis externa. CT images revealed soft tissue density material occupying the tympanic bulla compatible with otitis media in three dogs with experimentally induced otitis media and two patients. No remarkable features were observed on the radiographs. Four different VO views (ear canal, tympanic bulla, eustachian tube, and ossicular chain) were created. Promontory, cochlea window, tympanic, and septum bulla as well as ossicles were easily and clearly distinguished except for the incus and stapes of the clinical patients. VO images were not more suitable than images created with conventional CT for accurately diagnosing otitis media in this study. However, it appears that VO could be more feasible for assessing the complex structure of the inner ear in dogs with fluid-filled tympanic cavities since fluid accumulation within the tympanic bulla did not affect the evaluation of bony tissue in the middle ear on VO images.
