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

Abstract

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. 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. The average distance of the external auditory canal and the sigmoid sinus was 15.27±3.3mm in the COM group, 16.92±3.23mm in the traumatic facial palsy group, and 14.53±2.92mm 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±1.62mm in the COM group, 11.4±2.05mm 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). 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.