title: Correlation Between the Degree of the Mastoid Pneumatization and the Angle and the Length of the Eustachian Tube.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study is to explore the correlation between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the angle (ETa) and the length of the Eustachian tube (ETl).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design consisted of a retrospective clinical chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 217 patients (110 females and 107 males; average age, 33.14 ± 12.88 years; age range: 18-65 years) were included in the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups in terms of the degree of the mastoid pneumatization. The mastoid pneumatization was measured between 0 and 5 cm for group A, between 5 and 10 cm for group B, and ≥10 cm for group C. The ETa and ETl of each group were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean mastoid pneumatization of groups A, B, and C was 4.32 ± 1.96, 8.26 ± 2.68, and 11.94 ± 1.28 cm, respectively. The ETl of group A was lower than that of other groups statistically (P = 0.006 and 0.018, respectively). The mean ETl did not differ between the groups B and C (P = 0.698, >0.05, respectively). The ETa of each group did not differ (all P > 0.05). The mastoid pneumatization and the ETl were higher in males than in females (P = 0.004 and 0.001, respectively). The ETa did not differ between males and females (P = 0.0158). There was a positive correlation between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the ETl (r = 0.159/P = 0.002, <0.05, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study is thus the first to analyze the relationship between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the ETa and the ETl. We found a positive correlation between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the ETl.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery†Department of Radiology, Bakirköy Dr Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yakup
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yegin
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Çelik
authors.forename: Baver Maşallah
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Şimşek
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olgun
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karahasanoğlu
authors.forename: Ceylan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Çolak
authors.forename: Fatma Tülin
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Kayhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D001699:Biometry; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult