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A Life Threatening Pitfall in Ear Surgery: Extracranial Sigmoid Sinus
Osman Halit Çam1, Mehmet Karataş
1*Ear Nose and Throat Department, Ozel Kucukyali Delta Hospital, Istanbul †Ear Nose and Throat Department, Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital, Adiyaman, Turkey.
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|October 16, 2015
Summary
Temporal bone CT scans are crucial before ear surgeries to identify anatomical variations like sigmoid sinus dehiscence. This imaging helps prevent surgical complications and ensures patient safety during otologic procedures.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
Background:
- Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) is essential for pre-surgical planning in otologic procedures.
- Anatomical variations of the sigmoid sinus can pose significant risks during surgery.
Observation:
- A patient presented with vertigo and was diagnosed with benign positional vertigo.
- Pre-operative temporal bone CT revealed an anteriorly located sigmoid sinus with a middle fossa defect and subcutaneous course.
Findings:
- The CT scan identified an unusual course of the sigmoid sinus, highlighting potential surgical risks.
- The absence of cholesteatoma was confirmed, differentiating the diagnosis.
Implications:
- Pre-operative CT imaging of the temporal bone is vital for identifying sigmoid sinus dehiscence and other anomalies.
- Routine use of temporal bone CT can prevent intraoperative complications in transmastoid, retroauricular, and edoaural surgeries.
