Zhang N, Li Y, Ma X, et al. - In this retrospective study involving 132 patients, researchers sought to contrast preoperative temporal bone high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) readings to intraoperative findings during exploratory tympanotomy for suspected cases of isolated congenital middle ear malformations (CMEMs) and to describe the malformations that can and cannot be diagnosed with HRCT. One hundred forty-five ears were reviewed in this analysis. Findings suggested that HRCT gives useful preoperative clinical knowledge in CMEM, and in some cases may obviate the need for middle ear exploration. The negative findings (anomalies difficult to identify via preoperative HRCT) and the positive findings (anomalies relatively easily detectable by preoperative HRCT) have been summarized.