Pneumatization of Mastoid Air Cells, Temporal Bone, Ethmoid and Sphenoid Sinuses. Any Correlation?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the pneumatization of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) and other parts of temporal bone such as mastoid air cells and to investigate if there was any association between the aeration of these structures among the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malay, Chinese, Indian) as this would be representative of Asia. A retrospective review of 150 computed tomography (CT) scans of PNS and temporal bones was done and analysed. The pneumatization of each area was obtained and compared using statistical analysis. Patients with a history of previous medical or surgical problems in the intended areas were excluded from the study. The pneumatization of the mastoid air cells and other temporal bone parts were noted to be symmetrical in more than 75 %. There was a positive correlation between the pneumatization of mastoid air cells and that of the sphenoid sinus. The prevalence of Agger nasi, Haller's and Onodi cells was observed to be significantly higher in the Chinese group. Preoperative assessment of the temporal bone and PNS with CT scan may be helpful in the evaluation of their anatomical landmark and decrease the possibility of surgical complications related to 3D structures.

Temporal Bone Hyperpneumatization and Tinnitus: Clinico-Radiological Evaluation Using CT Scan

“…This was the normal pattern of pneumatization present in controls. Grade V: Pneumatization extending to accessory regions, such as the occipital bone, cervical vertebrae, styloid process or zygomatic portion of temporal bone, as rarely reported in the literature (7). This pattern of pneumatization was not encountered in our study.…”

An evaluation of the effect of a change in paranasal sinus volumes on the formation of nasal polyposis and mastoid aeration

“…However, the mastoid pneumatization in the nasal polyposis group was determined to be lower. Studies in literature have observed a correlation between the sphenoid sinus and mastoid pneumatization [5,23]. This correlation was determined in both the control group and the nasal polyposis group of the current study.…”

Anatomical variants of sphenoid sinuses pneumatisation: a CT scan study on a Northern Italian population

“…Another point for future analyses concerns the possible relation of pneumatisation variants with other air cells and paranasal sinuses: for example, several authors observed a positive correlation between the pneumatisation of sphenoid sinus and mastoid air cells [ 32,33 ]. Further studies concerning this topic may provide additional information concerning the incompletely known origin of pneumatised cranial bones.…”