The morbidity of CT air meatography: a follow-up of 84 patients.

At present CT air meatography is the examination of choice for all patients suspected of having a small acoustic neuroma not demonstrated by high resolution contrast enhanced computed tomography. Several publications have indicated that the examination is innocuous and can be carried out on an outpatient basis. An analysis of the side effects of this procedure in 84 patients suggests that it carries a significant morbidity and patients undergoing this examination should be admitted to hospital for at least 24 hours.