The Role of Non-Echoplanar Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosis of Primary Cholesteatoma and Cholesteatoma Recidivism as an Adjunct to Clinical Evaluation

• Published in: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology rhinology & laryngology, 2018-12, Vol.127 (12), p.919-925
• Main Authors: Laske, Roman D., Roth, Thomas N., Baráth, Krisztina, Schuknecht, Bernhard, Huber, Alexander M., Röösli, Christof
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - diagnosis; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - physiopathology; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - surgery; Cohort Studies; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Ear, Middle - diagnostic imaging; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Otologic Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Otologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Otoscopy - methods; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Secondary Prevention - methods; Sensitivity and Specificity; Switzerland; Symptom Assessment - methods; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0003-4894; 1943-572X
• DOI: 10.1177/0003489418800833

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of non-echoplanar (non-EPI) diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of cholesteatoma, with a focus on its value as an adjunct to clinical examination. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 92 cases were divided into 2 groups: “clinically cholesteatoma” (n = 79) and “clinically no cholesteatoma” (n = 13). Non-EPI DW MRI was performed preoperatively in all cases. The presence of a cholesteatoma was assessed by clinicians otoscopically, by neuroradiologists on non-EPI DW MRI, by the surgeon intraoperatively, and finally by the pathologist postoperatively. Data analysis was performed for specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and interrater variability. Results: The sensitivity and specificity were 89.3% and 75%, respectively, in the “clinically cholesteatoma” group and 0% and 100% in the “clinically no cholesteatoma” group. Non-EPI DW MRI had a positive predictive value of 98.5% when cholesteatoma was suspected clinically and a negative predictive value of 84.6% when cholesteatoma was not suspected clinically. Conclusion: If cholesteatoma is suspected clinically, non-EPI DW MRI is not necessary. If there is no clinical suspicion of cholesteatoma in second-look situations, sensitivity is low and serial follow-up MRI with long intervals is advised.