Chronic otomastoiditis with ossicular erosions
Chronic otomastoiditis with ossicular erosions, also known as non-cholesteatomatous ossicular erosions or post-inflammatory ossicular erosions, is defined by the erosive changes involving the middle ear ossicles in the absence of cholesteatoma in a patient with a history of chronic otomastoiditis.
Radiographic features
Normal anatomy of the ossicular chain should be checked to confirm the diagnosis:
- ice cream cone configuration in the epitympanum: in the disease erosion of the cone (incus body/short process) may occur
- two parallel lines in mesotympanum: erosive changes occur in the posterior line (incus lenticular process, incudostapedial joint and stapes head)
- in coronal CT: erosions occur in the vertical segment of the right angle (long process of incus)
- tympanic membrane usually is thick and retracted
Differential diagnosis
- congenital/acquired cholesteatoma with ossicular erosions
- post-operative ossicular loss (associated with mastoidectomy)
- post-traumatic ossicular dislocation
See also
