Clinico-Radiological Correlation in Chronic Otitis Media (COM) Squamous Type: emphasizing the Critical Role of High-Resolution CT (HRCT) of the Temporal Bone for Surgical Navigation.

Using HRCT Temporal bone in all cases of COM Squamous type, would act as a guide map and would lead to a better outcome for the patient as removal of the disease without preoperative high resolution radiological evaluation could lead to the destruction of various vital structures situated in and around the temporal bone. In earlier days HRCT temporal bone was not indicated in all cases of COM Squamous type, it was considered only in cases of complications, recurrence and pediatric population. This study compares the intraoperative findings in COM Squamous type cases with that of HRCT Temporal Bone, in all cases of COM Squamous disease before surgery to emphasize the importance of doing HRCT temporal bone prior to every case of COM Squamous type. After institutional ethical clearance, (IEC No: AIIMSRPR/IEC/2020/688) we conducted a prospective cross-sectional observational study on 112 patients over a time period of 12 months in age group between 5-65 years diagnosed with COM Squamous type with/without complication. They underwent surgery and intraoperative findings were correlated with the radiological findings keeping various parameters into consideration. This study discovered a strong relationship between HRCT of the temporal bone and intraoperative results. HRCT temporal bone, despite its drawbacks such as increased exposure to radiation and the inability to differentiate types of soft tissue densities, should be performed in all cases of COM Squamous type prior to surgery.