To quantify the cumulative number of images needed to scan (NNS) with preoperative high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography (HR-TBCT) to yield a change in management in patients undergoing primary stapes surgery for otosclerosis-related hearing loss.
Surgeons should weigh the number-needed-to-scan metric from this analysis when deciding whether routine preoperative temporal bone CT is justified for all otosclerosis patients, as it may change management in only a subset of cases.
Quantifying how often preoperative imaging actually changes otosclerosis management helps institutions make evidence-based decisions about routine CT use, balancing cost, radiation exposure, and clinical benefit.
- 01Study introduced the 'number needed to scan' (NNS) metric for preoperative high-resolution temporal bone CT in otosclerosis.
- 02Not all otosclerosis patients benefit equally from preoperative CT in terms of management changes.
- 03Findings could support more selective—rather than universal—preoperative CT imaging protocols.
- 04Published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (PMID 42334261).
- 05Quantitative analysis design provides a practical framework for resource allocation decisions.
Preoperative high-resolution temporal bone CT leads to clinically meaningful management changes in only a proportion of otosclerosis patients.
studypartially supportedThe number needed to scan (NNS) metric can quantify the utility of preoperative imaging in otosclerosis.
studysupported- PMID
- 42334261
- DOI
- 10.1002/ohn.70320.
- Journal
- Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients with confirmed otosclerosis undergoing preoperative evaluation
- Intervention
- Preoperative high-resolution temporal bone CT scanning
Primary outcomes
Number needed to scan (NNS) to achieve one clinically meaningful management change; Rate of management changes attributable to preoperative CT findings