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The distance of the sigmoid sinus and the middle fossa dura from the external auditory canal in chronic otitis media

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy volume 35, pages 477–480 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Mastoid pneumatization is reduced in most patients suffering from chronic otitis media (COM). In most studies, the relationship between the degree of pneumatization and the distance of the sigmoid sinus from the external auditory canal has been examined, yielding different results. This study addresses the relationship between COM and the distance of the sigmoid sinus and also middle fossa dura from the external auditory canal.

Methods

This was a case–control study on 15 adult COM patients, 12 traumatic facial palsy patients, and 15 cadaver temporal bones. After mastoidectomy, the distance between the spine of Henle and both the middle fossa dura and sigmoid sinus were measured, and the findings in each group was analyzed using Tukey’s and ANOVA tests.

Results

The average distance of the external auditory canal and the sigmoid sinus was 15.27 ± 3.3 mm in the COM group, 16.92 ± 3.23 mm in the traumatic facial palsy group, and 14.53 ± 2.92 mm in the cadaver temporal bones. There was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.115). The average distance of the spine of Henle from the middle fossa dura was 6.73 ± 1.62 mm in the COM group, 11.4 ± 2.05 mm in the traumatic facial palsy group, and 8.93 ± 1.94 in the cadaver temporal bones. There was a significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The distance of both the sigmoid sinus and the middle fossa dura from the external auditory canal (which indicates mastoid pneumatization) is reduced in COM patients.

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Fig. 1

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Affiliations

  1. Ear, Nose & Throat Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    M. Rajati

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    A. Shahabi

  3. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    H. Haghir

  4. Medical Genetic Research Center (MGRC), School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    H. Haghir

  5. Department of Social Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    M. Afzalaghaee

Authors
  1. M. Rajati
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  2. A. Shahabi
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  3. H. Haghir
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  4. M. Afzalaghaee
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Correspondence to A. Shahabi.

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Rajati, M., Shahabi, A., Haghir, H. et al. The distance of the sigmoid sinus and the middle fossa dura from the external auditory canal in chronic otitis media. Surg Radiol Anat 35, 477–480 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-012-1062-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-012-1062-4

Keywords

  • Chronic otitis media (COM)
  • External auditory canal
  • Sigmoid sinus
  • Middle fossa dura
  • Pneumatization