Can 3D imaging sharpen the diagnosis and surgery of a common hearing condition?

This study investigates whether cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), a 3D imaging technique, can improve the diagnosis and surgical treatment of otosclerosis, a condition where abnormal bone growth in the middle ear causes hearing loss. Researchers will enroll 100 adults suspected of having otosclerosis to measure how accurately CBCT detects the disease and how well it helps surgeons plan the placement of a prosthetic device during stapedotomy, a corrective surgery. The study also tracks hearing outcomes after surgery to see if CBCT-based planning leads to better results.