Modern high resolution computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of longitudinal fractures of the petrous bone.

High resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) examinations were performed in 14 patients with clinically suspected fractures of the temporal bone (TBF). HRCT were performed previously by a sophisticated, but not the latest, generation CT scanner. No fractures were demonstrated. The patients were re-examined by the latest generation CT scanner which demonstrated unilateral hair-line longitudinal fractures of the petrous bone in all of the patients. All the cases were associated with partial aeration of the mastoid cells on the affected side. The importance of this symptom is discussed.