Positional relationship between the facial nerve and other structures of the temporal bone.
The quantitative relationships between the position of the mastoid segment of the facial nerve, mastoid pneumatization and the positions of neighbouring structures are undetermined. Using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), the positions of these structures were measured in 66 normal temporal bones. A new method for measuring the volume of pneumatization in the temporal bone based on the serial digital images of CT was designed. The method of partial correlation analysis was used to find the real relationship of the two variables. The results suggest that the factors that influence the position of the mastoid segment of the facial nerve are complicated and multiple. The development of the cranium including the temporal bone, the temporal bone pneumatization and the variable position of the jugular bulb are considered to be important factors.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. peidong_99@yahoo.com
Peidong
P
Dai
Tianyu
T
Zhang
Keqiang
K
Wang
Jichang
J
Song
Wen
W
Qian
Zhengmin
Z
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003399:Craniotomy; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed