Related Experiment Videos
Development of the facial recess: implications for cochlear implantation
1Division of Otolaryngology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35233, USA.
Insights
The facial recess, crucial for cochlear implantation in children, appears to be adult-sized at birth. This anatomical finding supports surgical access for implants in very young pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Pediatric Otology
- Cochlear Implantation
Background:
- Growing use of cochlear implantation in children necessitates understanding facial recess development.
- Potential for cochlear implants in younger pediatric populations requires detailed anatomical data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To trace the developmental trajectory of the facial recess.
- To determine if the facial recess continues to grow into childhood.
- To assess the suitability of the facial recess for pediatric cochlear implantation.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of the facial recess and extended facial recess in 123 temporal bones from 73 individuals.
- Age range spanned from 8 weeks gestation to 7 years post-birth.
- Analysis focused on developmental changes and size at different life stages.
Main Results:
- Facial recess enlarges during fetal development, influenced by facial canal and tympanic annulus formation.
- Reichert's cartilage may be present in the fetal and newborn facial recess.
- Full-term infants exhibit a facial recess of 3.25 mm (oval window) and 2.62 mm (round window).
- Extended facial recess measurements in full-term infants are 3.79 mm (oval window) and 3.04 mm (round window).
Conclusions:
- No statistically significant postnatal growth of the facial recess was observed.
- The facial recess is likely adult-sized at birth.
- This suggests adequate surgical access for cochlear implantation in very young children.
Abstract:
More attention is being focused on the growth and development of the facial recess because of the use of cochlear implantation in children over 2 years of age and the prospect of using implants in even younger children. The facial recess and the extended facial recess were measured in 123 temporal bones from 73 individuals ranging in age from 8 weeks in utero to 7 years after birth. The goals were to trace the development of the facial recess and to determine whether this area continues to grow into childhood. The facial recess enlarges throughout fetal life with the development of the facial canal and the tympanic annulus. Reichert's cartilage, seen early in utero in the facial recess, gradually resorbs but may persist in the newborn. In full-term infants, the facial recess reaches 3.25 mm at the oval window and 2.62 mm at the round window. The extended facial recess reaches 3.79 mm at the oval window and 3.04 mm at the round window. No statistically significant growth of the facial recess after birth could be demonstrated in this study. The data suggest that the facial recess is probably adult sized at birth and should allow surgical access for cochlear implantation in very young children.