Facial nerve course in congenital aural atresia--identified by preoperative CT scanning and surgical findings.
CONCLUSIONS
The facial nerve courses shown by preoperative CT imaging coincide with the surgical findings in most congenital aural atresia cases. CT scanning is critical in evaluation of a patient's candidacy for atresia surgery.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic value of preoperative CT scanning of the facial nerve course in congenital aural atresia.


METHODS
All inpatients (135 cases) with congenital aural atresia had routine preoperative CT examination. The facial nerve courses were observed in the operation and compared with the preoperative CT imaging.


RESULTS
CT imaging showed that the mastoid portions of the facial nerves in 57% of cases (77/135) were located at the level of the round window, and 17% (23/135) were located at the levels of the oval window and the cochlea. Differential overlapping of the oval window by the facial nerve could also be shown in most of the cases. In the majority of cases (75%, 61/81) the tympanic portions of the facial nerve on CT imaging could be confirmed by surgical findings. In severe overlapping of the oval window or cases with anterior displacement, stapedectomy or tympanoplasty, respectively, could not be performed as usual.
Yu
Zilong
Z
Department and Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
Han
Demin
D
Gong
Shusheng
S
Wang
Zhenchang
Z
Dai
Haijiang
H
Zhao
Shouqin
S
Zheng
Yali
Y
Leng
Tongjia
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult