title: Anthropological study of the mastoid air cell system in Pakistani races.
abstract: This is an anthropological study of the development of the mastoid process in the four ethnic groups of Pakistani races: Turko-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Scytho-Dravidian, and Aryo-Dravidian. Cephalometric studies have established that the majority of Pakistanis are brachio to ultra-brachiocephalic (Cephalic Index 82-x). Radiological evaluation of normal mastoids and their planimetric measurements show that the mastoid process is smaller (Av: 10.24 sq.cm. +/- 0.8) than the Caucasian Western races (Av: 12-15 sq.cm.). Neither combined approach tympanoplasty, nor mastoid obliteration technique may be required, nor technically possible in a small mastoid. Natural epithelization of a small 'peanut size' mastoidectomy cavity does not justify these procedures. A modified radical mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty reconstruction provides a satisfactory result in chronic discharging ears.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zaidi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D044469:Racial Groups; D011859:Radiography