Incidence of Foramen Tympanicum (of Huschke): Comparing Cadaveric and Radiologic Studies

Abstract

Purpose: The foramen tympanicum (FT) represents a developmental anomaly that forms due to incomplete fusion of processes of the tympanic ring. Its presence in the population is controversial and it has been associated with a number of otologic complications. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the prevalence, anatomical characteristics, and ethnic variations of the FT and compare these parameters in cadaveric and radiologic studies. Methods: An extensive search was conducted through the major electronic databases, and identified articles were separated into 2 groups based on their methodology: cadaveric and radiologic studies. Data extracted included study modality, prevalence data, ethnicity, gender, side, laterality, and diameter. Results: A total of 8 studies (n = 2671 patients) were included into our meta-analysis. The main findings revealed that the prevalence of the FT in the population is 14.9%, it is more often unilateral (62.5%) than bilateral (37.5%), it is most often reported in Asia (21.4%), and it is more prevalent in cadavers (21.2%) than in radiologic studies (8.8%) (not statistically significant). Conclusion: As the FT is present in more than one-tenth of the population, it is important to consider the possibilities of its presence when undertaking surgical procedures in the temporomandibular joint and ear region and plan accordingly to avoid injuries. Clinicians should keep it as one of the possible diagnoses while confronted with patients presenting with otologic complications. The use of newer imaging techniques was recommended, such as cone-beam computer tomography to detect the FT prior to surgery.

A Persistent Foramen of Huschke: A Small Road to Misery in Necrotizing External Otitis

“…The prevalence of a persistent foramen of Huschke in the literature ranges from 4.6% to 20%, with a higher prevalence for women and the left ear. [17][18][19][20] The prevalence in the control subjects and unaffected ears in our study is in line with these numbers; however, we did not find a left-sided predominance. We did not investigate a sex difference because the control subjects were sexmatched with the patient group.…”

Otoscopy and imaging features of spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal

“…PFHs with herniation were larger than PFHs without herniation, as the pooled mean distance (PMD) of the total PFH length was 2.60 mm [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.43–2.77 mm], and the PMD of the total width was 2.40 mm (95% CI: 1.81–2.99 mm). 5 A larger mean length (4.63 ± 2.24 mm) and mean width (3.91 ± 1.57 mm) of the PHF were observed in this group. The location and size of the PFH, particularly the location, are the major risk factors for TMJ herniation in patients with PFH.…”

“…The overall pooled prevalence of PFH is estimated to be 14.9%. 5 Typically, PFH is located in the anteroinferior region of the EAC, but occasionally appears in the anterosuperior region of the wall or even at the apex of the squamotympanic fissure or petrotympanic fissure, 4,9–14 with 90.3% 5 of cases occurring in the medial segment of the tympanic bone. The medial margin of the foramen is located very close to the margin of the tympanic sulcus with a mean distance of 1.0 mm ,3 usually within 0.5 mm, 15 immediately posterior and medial to the head of the mandible where the fat pat of the TMJ is located, and little of the stress of the TMJ transmits to this area.…”

Origini, forma e (dis)funzioni dell’apparato masticatorio in Homo sapiens

“…325); la presenza del forame di Huschke si è riscontrata in più di un decimo della popolazione, per cui è importante considerare le possibilità della sua presenza quando si intraprendano procedure chirurgiche dell'ATM e nella regione dell'orecchio, in modo da evitare lesioni impreviste. Gli odontoiatri dovrebbero considerare il forame di Huschke come una delle possibili diagnosi mentre si confrontano con pazienti che presentino complicazioni otologiche connesse a problematiche dell'ATM (Pekala et al 2018).…”