The value of non-reconstructive multiplanar CT for the evaluation of the petrous bone.

The application of high resolution CT in the petrous bone has so far been restricted to the transverse and the coronal planes. Multiplanar reformatting in other planes suffers severely from loss of spatial resolution and from patient motion. This article describes how a multitude of classical otoradiological planes can be imaged by means of direct CT using proper patient positioning techniques; thus providing the advantage of visualizing the different anatomical details in their optimal cross-sectional planes. Patient positioning and examples of CT anatomy are presented in seven different planes: transverse, coronal, sagittal, semi-axial, semi-longitudinal, axio-petrosal and longitudinal. A survey is presented of which anatomical details can be visualized best in which planes.