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[The petromastoid canal. A computed tomography investigation]
S Steinbach1, A Fitzthum, M Reiser
1Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675, München. S.Steinbach@lrz.tum.de
Background:
The petromastoid canal was first described in 1904 by Mouret and Rouviere. Since then, there have been very few publications about this canal. Modern high-resolution computed tomography (CT) enables a slice thickness of 1 mm and less, so the course of the petromastoid canal is visible. In this study the petromastoid canal is introduced and its dimensions measured.
Materials And Methods:
This study involved 316 CT scans of normal temporal bones of subjects age 19.6-84.2: 156 temporal bones of women and 160 temporal bones of men. The slice thickness of the CT scan was 0.5 mm, and 16-slice or 64-slice CT was used. The middle diameter, length, and angle of the petromastoid canal were measured.
Results:
The middle diameter of the petromastoid canal was 1.16+/-0.4 mm (0.25-2.5 mm), the length was 10.7+/-0.9 mm (4.25-16.1 mm), and the angle was 134.5+/-17.3 degrees (124-157 degrees).
Conclusion:
The study shows for the first time the length and angle of the petromastoid canal. A slice thickness of at least 1 mm guarantees 100% imaging of the petromastoid canal. The petromastoid canal is an important anatomical landmark and is of clinical relevance.
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