Dimensions of the Sinus Tympani and its Surgical Access VIA a Retrofacial Approach

• Published in: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology Vol. 105; no. 10; pp. 776 - 783
• Main Authors: Ozturan, Orhan, Miller, Charles C., Bauer, Carol A., Jenkins, Herman A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.1996; Annals Publishing Compagny; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear - surgery; Ear, Middle - anatomy & histology; Ear, Middle - surgery; Female; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the ear, the auditive nerve and the facial nerve; Temporal Bone - anatomy & histology; anatomy; sinus tympani; cholesteatoma; Human; Temporal bone; Treatment; Cholesteatoma; Surgery; Sinus tympani; ENT disease; Tumor; Dimension; Technique; Anatomy; Cadaver
• ISSN: 0003-4894; 1943-572X
• DOI: 10.1177/000348949610501004

The sinus tympani (ST) is a critical anatomic region of the temporal bone. It lies medial to the facial nerve, between the ponticulus and the subiculum, and therefore is not easily visualized by routine surgical approaches to the middle ear and mastoid. This limited access makes the ST a site that is notorious for residual cholesteatoma. An extensive evaluation of the anatomic dimensions of the ST was made from human temporal bones. Three hundred twenty-seven bones were examined at four standardized levels to describe the dimensions and anatomic relationships of the ST with other structures of the temporal bone. The region of the stapedial tendon was found to be the most limited anatomic substructure in the vicinity of the ST. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a retrofacial approach to the ST as an aid in eradication of otherwise hidden disease.