title: Role of mastoid pneumatization in temporal bone fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The mastoid portion of the temporal bone has multiple functional roles in the organism, including regulation of pressure in the middle ear and protection of the inner ear. We investigated whether mastoid pneumatization plays a role in the protection of vital structures in the temporal bone during direct lateral trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed on 20 human temporal bones isolated from cadavers. In the study group formed by 10 temporal bone samples, mastoid cells were removed and the resulting neocavities were filled. The mastoids were maintained intact in the control group. All samples were impacted at the same speed and kinetic energy. The resultant temporal bone fractures were evaluated by CT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Temporal squama fractures were 2.88 times more frequent, and mastoid fractures were 2.76 times more frequent in the study group. Facial nerve canal fractures were 6 times more frequent in the study group and involved all the segments of the facial nerve. Carotid canal fractures and jugular foramen fractures were 2.33 and 2.5 times, respectively, more frequent in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mastoid portion of the temporal bone plays a role in the absorption and dispersion of kinetic energy during direct lateral trauma to the temporal bone, reducing the incidence of fracture in the setting of direct trauma.
authors.affiliation: From the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Oral Health and Dental Office Management (R.S.C., I.A.) cseh.aranka@umfcluj.ro.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ilea
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology (A.B., S.A.S.).
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butnaru
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology (A.B., S.A.S.).
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sfrângeu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Dental Radiology (M.H.).
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hedeşiu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering (C.M.D.), Technical University Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dudescu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Machine Building, Department of Manufacturing Engineering (P.B., H.C.).
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berce
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Machine Building, Department of Manufacturing Engineering (P.B., H.C.).
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chezan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (L.H.), "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hurubeanu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Cervicofacial and Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery (S.A., V.E.T.).
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Trombiţaş
authors.affiliation: From the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Oral Health and Dental Office Management (R.S.C., I.A.).
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Câmpian
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Cervicofacial and Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery (S.A., V.E.T.).
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albu
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid / Q000293:injuries* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011859:Radiography; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*