[Temporal bone surgery and requirements for radiology].

Background: Perioperative imaging plays a central role in otorhinolaryngology, particularly in procedures involving the complex temporal bone. Detailed understanding and precise depiction of its specialised anatomy are essential to minimise risks during surgical interventions and to optimise surgical planning.

Materials and methods: This article highlights the value of cross-sectional imaging, primarily computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in the context of surgical challenges, critical aspects in the assessment of inflammatory conditions, the planning of middle ear procedures, and tumour diagnostics in the temporal bone. Surgical concepts are illustrated using common pathological conditions.

Conclusion: Close collaboration between radiologists and surgeons is crucial to minimise patient-specific risks and to optimise surgical outcomes in inflammatory diseases and neoplasms of the temporal bone.