THE ROLE OF IMAGING MODALITIES IN DIAGNOSIS AND OUTCOME OF OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION IN COCHLEAR IMPLANT CANDIDATES.

Objective: We investigated the accuracy of imaging modalities in diagnosis and outcome of otitis media with effusion by correlating the imaging findings with the preoperative otomicroscopic examinations, tympanometric results, and intra-operative findings in patients who undergone cochlear implant surgery.

Methods: The results of the preoperative physical examination, and intra-operative findings of patients younger than 18 years who underwent cochlear implant surgery at a single tertiary instution were recorded from their medical charts. Tympanometries, which were performed in maximum 1 week prior to imaging modalities, were analyzed. The high resolution computed tomography of temporal bone and magnetic resonance imaging of internal acoustic meati findings were reviewed. The mastoid cavity and middle ears were evaluated separately.

Results: The data comprising of 280 ears were evaluated. The correlation between imaging findings and both physical examination and tympanometries were statistically significant (p=0.000). The intra-operative findings supported this correlation.

Conclusions: Our study showed that imaging modalities might detect the middle ear and mastoid cavity effusions. The severity of these changes may differ according to the severity of disease.