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Positional relationship between the facial nerve and other structures of the temporal bone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Peidong Dai
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Tianyu Zhang
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Keqiang Wang
Affiliation:
Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai and the Laboratorial Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Jichang Song
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Wen Qian
Affiliation:
Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai and the Laboratorial Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Zhengmin Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Abstract

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 structureswere 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 facialnerve 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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2004

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