The radioanatomical assessment of the K\xf6rner\u2019s septum

Tomasz Wojciechowski,Adrian Drożdż,Tymon Skadorwa,Bogdan Ciszek,Kazimierz Szopiński

doi:10.1007/s00276-018-2149-3

Tomasz Wojciechowski, Adrian Drożdż + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2149-3

Copy DOI

Abstract

Purpose of the studyKörner’s septum (KS) is a developmental remnant formed at the junction of mastoid and temporal squama, representing the persistence of the petrosquamosal suture. During mastoid surgery, it could be taken as a false medial wall of the antrum so that the deeper cells might not be explored. The aim of the study was to assess a Körner’s septum prevalence and to analyze its topography.MethodsThe study was performed on 80 sets of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of temporal bone (41 male, 39 female, 160 temporal bones). Körner’s septum was identified and its thickness was measured on axial sections at three points: at the level of superior semicircular canal (SCC), at the level of head of malleus (HM) and at the level of tympanic sinus (TS).ResultsKS was encountered at least in one point of measurements in 50 out of 80 sets of CBCT images (62.5%). The average thickness at the level of SCC was 0.87 ± 0.34 mm, at the level of HM was 0.99 ± 0.37 mm and at the level of TS was 0.52 ± 0.17 mm.ConclusionsKörner’s septum is a common structure in the temporal bone–air cell complex. It is more often encountered in men. In half of the patients, it occurs bilaterally. However, in most of the cases it is incomplete with anterior and superior portions being the most constant.

Highlights

Körner’s septum (KS) known as petrosquamous lamina is a bony plate formed at the junction of the mastoid and temporal squama and it represents the persistence of the petrosquamous suture [17, 21]
Cheatle as the first to describe KS [5, 17] using his memorable Hunterian Lectures as a proof [3], it was A. Hartmann who brought it to otologists’ attention nearly 20 years earlier. He wrote about a large cavity in the temporal bone—antrum petrosum—that is partly separated from antrum mastoideum by the osseus plate projecting from the tegmen [7]
The study was performed on anonymized sets of conebeam computed tomography (CBCT) images of temporal bone gathered from the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, Medical University of Warsaw, between February 2013 and June 2013

Summary

Introduction

Körner’s septum (KS) known as petrosquamous lamina is a bony plate formed at the junction of the mastoid and temporal squama and it represents the persistence of the petrosquamous suture [17, 21]. It does divide the antrum into petrous (deep) and squamous (superficial) portions [17], but it descends toward the mastoid process. Cheatle as the first to describe KS [5, 17] using his memorable Hunterian Lectures as a proof [3], it was A Hartmann who brought it to otologists’ attention nearly 20 years earlier. He wrote about a large cavity in the temporal bone—antrum petrosum—that is partly separated from antrum mastoideum by the osseus plate projecting from the tegmen [7]

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion