Objectives: Several studies reported low detection rates of otosclerosis in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), especially when the scans were reviewed by non-specialized general radiologists. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective review of the detection of otosclerosis in HRCT by general radiologists and the impact of inadequately filled radiological request forms on the detection rate. Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital records, HRCT reports, and radiological referral notes of 40 patients who underwent stapedotomy surgery for otosclerosis. HRCT imaging data sets were retrospectively reviewed by a blinded experienced neuroradiologist, whose reading served as the gold standard. Results: General radiologists reading HRCT scans had an overall detection rate of otosclerosis of 36.1% in this cohort (13 of 36 available HRCT reports). The neuroradiologist had a much higher detection rate of 82.5% (33 of 40 cases). Interobserver agreement between the general radiologists and the subspecialist neuroradiologist was poor (Cohen’s kappa κ = 0.26). General radiologists missed the diagnosis in 15 of the 33 CT-positive scans, corresponding to a missed diagnosis rate of 45.4%. There was a highly significant association between a missed diagnosis and the lack of an explicitly mentioned clinical suspicion of otosclerosis in the request forms (Pearson’s chi-squared test, p < 0.005). Conclusion: The diagnosis of otosclerosis is frequently missed by radiologists on HRCT scans of the temporal bone in a clinical setting. Possible reasons include a relative lack of experience of general radiologists with temporal bone imaging as well as the failure of clinicians to unambiguously communicate their suspicion of otosclerosis.
Keywords: computed tomography; diagnostic imaging; hearing loss; otosclerosis.