Role of imaging in chronic otitis media and its complications

Figure 1 Otomastoiditis and accompanying cholesteatoma. A: The axial pre-contrast T1W; B: Post-contrast T1W; C: 3D-constructive interference in a steady state MR images show hyper-enhanced inflammatory alterations in the mastoid cells and middle ear on the right side (orange arrows); D: The axial diffusion-weighted; E: Apparent diffusion coefficient map; F: Coronal post-contrast T1W magnetic resonance images show the presence of cholesteatoma in the right inferior mastoid cells, which was not enhanced, but had significant diffusion restriction (blue arrows).

Figure 2 Meningitis with subcutaneous and intracranial abscess. A: The axial post-contrast T1W; B: Coronal post-contrast T1W; C: Axial post-contrast T1W; D: Axial diffusion-weighted; E: Apparent diffusion coefficient map; F: Coronal post-contrast T1W magnetic resonance images show abscesses in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (yellow asterisks) and intracranial (orange arrows) area with a thick and hyperenhanced wall and centrally restricted diffusion. The axial post-contrast T1W and coronal post-contrast T1W magnetic resonance images show meningeal enhancement compatible with meningitis in the right parietotemporal area (yellow arrows).

Figure 3 Labyrinthitis. A: The axial 3D-constructive interference in a steady state (CISS) magnetic resonance image showing focal signal loss in the vestibule (orange arrow) on right side; B: The axial 3D-CISS magnetic resonance image showing focal signal loss in the horizontal semicircular canal (orange arrow) on left side.

Figure 4 Lateral sinus thrombosis. A: The coronal post-contrast T1W cerebral magnetic resonance venography image shows loss of signal along the right transverse sinus (orange arrow); B: The coronal post-contrast T1W cerebral magnetic resonance venography image shows loss of signal along the right sigmoid sinus (blue arrow); C: The coronal T2W magnetic resonance image shows hyperintensity due to flow void loss in the right transverse sinus (green arrow); D: Axial T2W magnetic resonance image shows hyperintensity due to flow void loss in the right sigmoid sinus (yellow arrow).