Anatomic considerations of the medial cuts in the subtotal temporal bone resection

Eighteen temporal bones, 20 sets of polytomograms, and two sets of histologically sectioned temporal bones were studied and the literature was reviewed in order to describe the evolution and anatomic detail of the medial limits of the subtotal temporal bone resection used when malignant neoplasia has invaded the middle ear. An en bloc resection requires incisions medial to the pneumatized spaces involved. The anatomy of the lines of resection through the glenoid fossa, medial to the lateral wall of the carotid canal, through the cochlea, internal auditory canal, and jugular bulb, and just lateral to cranial nerves IX, X, and XI was described in detail. Regardless of the techniques employed, or the feasibility of the task, the concept of en bloc resection must conform to the anatomy of the region.