Analysis of growth pattern of temporal bone pneumatization using 3D reconstructed computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Pediatric Imaging
• Anatomy

Background:

• Temporal bone pneumatization (TBP) is influenced by age, sex, and race, with rapid progression observed up to puberty.
• The precise extent and progression of TBP during childhood remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental progression of TBP in children aged 1 to 18 years.
• To utilize three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) images for detailed analysis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 432 temporal bones from 216 children (aged 1-18 years) with well-pneumatized mastoid antra.
• Creation of 18 age groups (six boys and six girls per group) for analysis.
• Surface rendering of air density (-290 HU) to quantify TBP, with statistical analysis using SPSS version 24.0.

Main Results:

• Linear regression models showed TBP increases with age (y_a=384.42x+1790.40, R²=0.425), with variations between sexes (male: y_m=431.54x+1440.9, R²=0.501; female: y_f=337.26x+2140.5, R²=0.355).
• Average pneumatization increased until age 17 in both sexes, with significant differences between boys and girls noted at ages 3, 11, and 18 (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

• Boys exhibit greater temporal bone pneumatization than girls during adolescence.
• Specific periods of significant variation in temporal bone pneumatization degree were identified, aiding in understanding developmental trajectories.