Diffusion Weighted MRI Accuracy in Cholesteatoma Localization

Magnetic resonance imaging of the middle ear has an increasing place in the therapeutic strategy in otology and especially for cholesteatoma. It is currently performed for complicated cholesteatomas and as part of the follow-up of operated patients to detect a recurrence or a cholesteatoma residue (alternative of choice to "second look" surgery). Some people take CT and MRI fusion to improve the localization of cholesteatoma. Many studies have investigated the diagnostic capabilities of MRI but very few have demonstrate their reliability in location diagnosis. The aim of the study was to propose a topographic reading method of the MRI of the middle ear and to evaluate the performances in the localization of the cholesteatoma in order to adapt the surgical management