Preoperative determination of the location of parotid gland tumors by analysis of the position of the facial nerve.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the usefulness of anatomic lines in predicting the intraparotid course of the facial nerve.


METHODS
To make the comparison, 3 lines were drawn on 69 transverse sections of 5 cadaver heads. Then, the shortest and the longest distance from the lines to the facial nerve were measured.


RESULTS
Of the tested lines, the one that connects the most dorsal point on the ipsilateral half of a vertebra to the dorsal side of the retromandibular vein had the shortest distance to the facial nerve. It also ran more parallel to the facial nerve than the other 2 lines.


CONCLUSIONS
Because the line that connects the most dorsal point on the ipsilateral half of a vertebra to the dorsal side of the retromandibular vein best predicts the intraparotid course of the facial nerve, it might be useful in assessing whether parotid tumors are located in the superficial or deep lobe.
de Ru
J A
JA
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. J.A.deRu@kmb.azu.nl
Bleys
R L
RL
van Benthem
P P
PP
Hordijk
G J
GJ
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002508:Cephalometry; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000098:blood supply; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000294:innervation*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology