Epitympanum volume and tympanic isthmus area in temporal bones with retraction pockets.
To compare the volume of the epitympanic space, as well as the area of the tympanic isthmus, in human temporal bones with retraction pockets to those with chronic otitis media without retraction pockets and to those with neither condition.



Comparative human temporal bone study.



We generated a three-dimensional model of the bony epitympanum and measured the epitympanic space. We also compared the area of the tympanic isthmus.



The mean total volume of the epitympanum was 40.55 ± 7.14 mm3in the retraction pocket group, 50.03 ± 8.49 mm3in the chronic otitis media group, and 48.03 ± 9.16 mm3in the neither condition group. The mean volume of the anterior, lateral, and medial compartments in temporal bones in the retraction pocket group was significantly smaller than in the two control groups (P < 0.05). Total epitympanic volume was also significantly smaller in the retraction pocket group than in both control groups (P < 0.05). The mean area of the tympanic isthmus was significantly smaller in the retraction pocket group (8.11 ± 2.44 mm2) than in the chronic otitis media group (9.82 ± 2.06 mm2) or the neither condition group (10.66 ± 1.78 mm2) (P < 0.05).



Our data indicate that temporal bones with retraction pockets have a smaller volume bony epitympanum and a smaller tympanic isthmus area as compared with temporal bones from both control groups. The smaller volume tympanic isthmus in the retraction pocket group may suggest that a blockage in the aeration pathways to the epitympanum could create dysventilation, resulting in negative pressure and ultimately in retraction pockets and cholesteatomas.



NA Laryngoscope, 126:E369-E374, 2016.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Banco de Olhos de Sorocaba Hospital, Sorocaba, Brazil.
Rafael da Costa
RD
Monsanto
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Henrique Furlan
HF
Pauna
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gebze Fatih State Hospital, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Serdar
S
Kaya
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.|Giresun A. Ilhan Ozdemir State Hospital, Giresun, Turkey.
Ömer
Ö
Hızlı
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Geeyoun
G
Kwon
Paparella Ear Head and Neck Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Michael M
MM
Paparella
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.. cureo003@umn.edu.
Sebahattin
S
Cureoglu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000473:pathology*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
3D reconstruction; Epitympanum; human temporal bone; middle ear ventilation; retraction pockets; tympanic isthmus