Inner Ear Pathology

Imaging one of the smallest organs in the human body such as the inner ear frequently challenges the radiologist to depict millimetric changes in the labyrinth. Fortunately, the continuously increasing resolution of computed tomography (CT) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) makes it possible to see pathology in the labyrinth that was not detectable before. MRI is the technique of choice to image most of the acquired inner ear changes, but as in many parts of the body, CT will still be complementary in making the correct diagnosis. This chapter will try to focus on some characteristic features of the different pathologies and how to differentiate them from other lesions.