The jugular foramen is a complex bony canal containing neurovascular structures deep in the skull base. It is inaccessible to direct clinical examination and difficult to access surgically because of the surrounding critical structures. Radiology plays a central role in…
Introduction The cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern is a subarachnoid space within the posterior cranial fossa. About 6%–10% of all intracranial masses are found in this location. Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are the most commonly encountered lesion in the CPA, followed by…
Introduction The petrous apex is the most medial portion of the temporal bone. Its deep location precludes direct clinical examination and safe percutaneous biopsy. In addition, many of the petrous apex lesions are asymptomatic or present with nonspecific symptoms such…
Introduction Interpretation of CT or MR imaging examinations performed on patients with a history of middle ear (ME), mastoid, or neurotologic surgery can be challenging. This is greatly simplified by knowing the surgical procedures used and the expected postoperative appearance.…
Anatomy The facial nerve comprises motor, sensory, and parasympathetic fibers. The dominant motor component comprises 70% of the total axons. The sensory component makes up much of the remaining portion of the nerve and includes the nervus intermedius (nerve of…
Disclosure Disclosure of any relationship with a commercial company that has a direct financial interest in subject matter or materials discussed in article or with a company making a competing product. Introduction In the imaging evaluation of hearing loss, the…
Temporal Bone Pseudofractures—Fracture Mimics An important challenge in detecting and classifying temporal bone fractures is the inherent complexity of the temporal bone anatomy. Although the evaluation of symmetry is helpful to distinguish normal anatomy from acute injury, temporal bone sutures…
Introduction This chapter presents an overview of tumoral lesions of the temporal bone. These lesions can be considered to be rather rare. Imaging plays a crucial role in describing the exact extent of these tumors and can be helpful in…
Acknowledgments I thank Nancy Verpoort who spent a considerable amount of time editing the figures and texts. Introduction In a wide variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the temporal bone, imaging studies are used to determine the extent of…
Introduction The endoscopic endonasal approach has become the preferred surgical approach to many tumors of the ventral skull base, both benign and malignant. Although advances in surgical equipment and technique have played a role in the development, imaging remains one…