Manipulation of CT data for temporal-bone imaging.

The usefulness of CT in studying the temporal bone is limited by spatial resolution and by the range of absorption coefficients which can be displayed. The authors evaluated the effect of four types of data manipulation: (a) reconstruction of data with different convolution filters (target reconstruction), (b) extension of the range of CT numbers, (c) mathematical filtration to enhance edges, and (d) correction for beam hardening. Target reconstruction and extension of the CT range significantly improved visualization of small structures in the temporal bone.