Computed tomography of temporal bone specimens. A test of the resolution capability.

Ten deep-frozen temporal bone specimens were subjected to computed tomography (CT) in five different projections. The possibility of identifying small structures, such as the ossicles and aqueductal lumina, was assessed. In addition, the semicircular canals were measured. Subsequently corresponding measurements were carried out on plastic casts of these specimens for comparison. A temporal bone specimen is well suited as a test object for evaluating the detectability of small and dense natural structures by CT.