The evaluation of morphometry of the mastoid process using multidetector computed tomography in a living population

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of the bony landmarks on the lateral surface of the mastoid process (MP). It was also the target of this study to reveal the importance of sexual dimorphism in terms of the mastoid triangle. Our study was performed on 140 (70 women, 70 men) multidetector computed tomography images obtained from patients who underwent radiologic examination at the Department of Radiology of Meram Medical Faculty, Necmettin Erbakan University. The height of the MP was measured using 2 different ways. The distance between the mastoid apex and the midpoint of the distance of the porion and the mastoid notch was measured (mastoid height 1). Then, the distance between the Frankfurt horizontal plane and the mastoid apex was measured (mastoid height 2). The distances between porion-mastoid notch, porion-mastoid apex, porion-asterion, asterion-mastoid apex, articular tubercle-asterion, articular tubercle-mastoid apex, as well as the right and the left MP were also measured. Finally, the angles between porion-mastoid apex-asterion, mastoid apex-asterion- porion, and asterion-porion-mastoid apex were measured. All data were analyzed statistically using the Student's t-test. According to the results of the measurements, all right and left parameters of the men were higher than the women's right and left sides except for the angle between asterion-porion-mastoid apex. In addition, all right and left parameters were almost the same in both sexes. Having the knowledge of measurements of the distances between the major landmarks of the temporal bone is essential to avoid possible complications during facial, mastoid, and especially sigmoid sinus surgeries.