Role of Diffusion-Weighted Propeller Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cholesteatoma Diagnosis

Abstract
Background: Cholesteatoma is a pseudotumor with ex-pansive growth that causes destruction of surrounding bone structures and thus damage of surrounding structures like facial nerve or inner ear. Early diagnosis and detection of any recurrence are essential. Radiological detection using Com-puted Tomography (CT) is the technique of choice due to its ability to detect bone destruction epically the destruction of ossicles which is characteristic. However, CT does not have high spatial resolution of tissue which is of particular necessary in congenital, recurrent, abnormal site or post-operative cholesteatoma. MRI overcomes the shortcomings of CT and can be useful in such cases.
Aim of Study: The aim of this study was to discuss the role of diffusion-weighted Propeller MRI in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma in non-operated and operated temporal bone.
Patients and Methods: A prospective study was performed on 37 patients. All the patients had undergone DW-MRI and CT temporal bone, 29 of them had undergone MRI examination with contrast. Clinical and surgical findings were correlated with diffusion-weighted Propeller MRI results.
Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 100%, 85.7%, 96.8% and 100%, respectively.
Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted Propellar MRI imaging is an effective technique in cholesteatoma diagnosis in operated and non operated patients.