Advances in Temporal Bone Imaging

Background

Advances in imaging technologies have revolutionized our understanding and clinical management of diseases affecting the temporal bone. The temporal bone is a complex anatomical region housing critical structures related to hearing and balance, and its detailed evaluation remains one of the most challenging tasks in head and neck radiology. Historically, computed tomography (CT) has been the primary modality for assessing bony structures, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been pivotal for soft tissue characterization. However, limitations in resolution and artifact susceptibility have driven the search for novel imaging approaches. Recent innovations, such as Dual Echo Ultra-Short Echo Time (UTE) MRI, have significantly enhanced the visualization of osseous and soft tissue components, paving the way for better diagnosis and management. Moreover, cellular-level imaging and new techniques for assessing diseases like skull base osteomyelitis, cholesteatoma, and Meniere’s disease, are further broadening the clinical impact of imaging in this domain. Despite these advances, key questions remain about the optimal imaging strategies and their translational applications in both research and clinical practice.

Goal

The overall aim of this Research Topic is to highlight and synthesize groundbreaking advances in temporal bone imaging, with a focus on techniques that have emerged in the last five years. By assembling a comprehensive collection of original research, reviews, and methodological reports, we seek to advance the dialogue between radiologists, otolaryngologists, neuroscientists, and imaging scientists. Our goal is to foster the translation of novel imaging technologies into clinical practice, improve diagnostic accuracy, and inspire future innovation in the field. Ultimately, this Research Topic aims to provide a definitive reference on current and emerging strategies in temporal bone imaging, serving as a resource for both clinical experts and researchers engaged in basic and translational studies.

Scope

We invite contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following specific themes:

o New MRI sequences for visualizing bones (Dual Echo UTE): Development, technical evaluation, and clinical applications of advanced MRI techniques enabling direct visualization of osseous structures in the temporal bone.

o Cellular imaging of the ear: Emerging methods for imaging at the cellular level, including molecular and functional imaging approaches for evaluating inner ear pathophysiology.

o Imaging of Skull Base Osteomyelitis: Novel imaging findings, diagnostic protocols, and clinical case studies focused on detecting and monitoring skull base osteomyelitis.

o Imaging of cholesteatoma: Advances in MRI and CT for distinguishing cholesteatoma from other entities, pre- and post-operative assessment, and imaging biomarkers.

o Imaging of Meniere’s disease: State-of-the-art imaging modalities for endolymphatic hydrops and other manifestations of Meniere’s disease, including the role of contrast-enhanced studies.

We encourage the submission of original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, methodological papers, hypothesis and theory manuscripts, clinical trials, and case reports. We will particularly prioritize work that demonstrates translational relevance, offers novel insights into disease mechanisms, or presents innovative technical solutions in imaging. Submissions should emphasize recent advances and, where possible, integrate clinical, technical, and pathophysiological perspectives.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Temporal bone imaging, Dual-echo, MRI, inner ear cellular imaging, skull base osteomyelitis, cholesteatoma imaging, Meniere’s disease

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.