Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2003 Mar;46(3):202-206.

Factors Influencing Access to Facial Recess in Temporal Bone according to the Pneumatization of Temporal Bone-Measurement of Important Structures on Temporal Bone Computed Tomography

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. shleemd@hanyang.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Computed tomography of the temporal bone (TBCT) provides us many information about the status of temporal bone and middle ear, and is very important for surgical planning. We studied the relations of facial nerve and other structures in temporal bone and factors influencing access to facial recess according to the pneumatizaton of temporal bone. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total 177 ears were analyzed. With the coronal section on the level just below the second genu of facial nerve, we measured the distances and angle between important surgical landmarks, and compared the data according to the mastoid pneumatization. RESULTS: The distance from sigmoid sinus to posterior wall of external auditory canal, and the distance from sigmoid sinus to line which was drawn at facial nerve parallel to posterior wall of external auditory canal were significantly influenced by temporal bone pneumatization (p<0.05). Temporal bone pnuematization gave no influence on the position of facial nerve, size of facial recess, and posterior fossa. CONCLUSION: Anterior projection of sigmoid sinus into mastoid antrum, which was influenced by pneumatization of mastoid antrum, was the most important factor influencing access to facial recess area.

Keyword

Temporal bone; Tomography; X-ray computed; Facial nerve

MeSH Terms

Colon, Sigmoid
Ear
Ear Canal
Ear, Middle
Facial Nerve
Mastoid
Temporal Bone*
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