Anterior epitympanic recess--CT assessment
Hassmann-Poznańska, E.; Gościk, E.; Skotnicka, B.; Oleński, J.
Otolaryngologia Polska 58(3): 551-557
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6657 PMID: 15311602 Document Number: 570632
Aeration of the middle ear is the prerequisite of it proper function. It is also necessary for successful surgical reconstruction in cases of chronic otitis media. The anterior epitympanic recess (AER) has attracted the attention in recent years as possible additional route of ventilation. The preoperative axial CT scans of the temporal bones were compared with the operative findings in retrospective analysis of cases operated because of cholesteatoma. 25 ears with perforation in pars tensa and 29 ears with the perforation in pars flaccida were analysed as well as 34 healthy ears. In 1/2 of healthy ears AER consisted of a single cell and in 1/3 of multiple small cells. The structure of the AER was much more difficult to assess in cholesteatoma ears but still it was possible in more than 1/2 of them, and it did not differ significantly from healthy ears. In the majority of ears with attic cholesteatoma the structure of AER was not identified because of cholesteatoma involvement of this area. Aeration of the AER in cases of pars tensa cholesteatoma when the tympanic isthmus was closed suggests the presence of additional route of ventilation through anterior attic.