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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

Published ahead of print on October 1, 2009
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1605

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 30:1817-1823, November-December 2009
© 2009 American Society of Neuroradiology

REVIEW ARTICLES

The Radiology of Referred Otalgia

R.C. Chen^a, A.S. Khorsandi^a, D.R. Shatzkes^b and R.A. Holliday^c

^aFrom the Department of Radiology (R.C.C., A.S.K.), Beth Israel Medical Center, New York
^bDepartment of Radiology (D.R.S.), St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York
^cDepartment of Radiology (R.A.H.), New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York.

Please address correspondence to Robert C. Chen, Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroradiology, Gray Building 273A, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114; e-mail: chenner23{at}gmail.com

SUMMARY: Pain referred to the ear is a well-documented phenomenon, which can be due to a multitude of disease processes. With the recent and rapid progression of CT and MR imaging technology, radiologists have played an increasing role in solving this potentially difficult diagnostic dilemma. Essentially any pathology residing within the sensory net of cranial nerves V, VII, IX, and X and the upper cervical nerves C2 and C3 can potentially cause referred otalgia. This article will attempt to outline the various sensorineural pathways that dually innervate the ear and other sites within the head and neck, as well as discuss various disease processes that are known to result in referred otalgia.