Is ossicular chain fixation predictable for tympanosclerosis on preoperative temporal bone computed tomography?

Abstract

To report the predictability of ossicular chain (OC) fixation on preoperative temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) in chronic otitis media (COM) with tympanosclerosis (TS). Fifty-six patients who had surgery for COM in our ear, nose and throat clinic between 2015 and 2017 were included in this retrospective case-control study. The patients were equally divided into two groups as those with TS and without TS. The complaint of preoperative otorrhea, values of incudostapedial joint (ISJ) angulation on preoperative TBCT scans, postoperative long-term hearing results, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the ISJ angulations of the operated and healthy sides in the COM group with TS (102.27 ± 7.92 and 91.90 ± 5.59 degrees, respectively, p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the ISJ angulation of the operated and healthy sides in the COM group without TS (95.04 ± 4.86 and 94.35 ± 4.57 degrees, respectively, p > 0.05). In addition, when the ISJ angulations of the operated sides of the two groups were compared, it was statistically significantly higher for the TS group compared to the non-TS group (102.27 ± 7.92 and 95.04 ± 4.86 degrees, respectively, p < 0.001). Increased ISJ angulation may indicate OC fixation. COM cases with TS can be predicted by the measurement of ISJ angulation on preoperative TBCT.