Abstract
Objective: The epitympanum is an anatomic region of great surgical importance, yet its dimensions have gone largely unstudied since Bezold in the 1800s. We investigated the radiologic dimensions of the epitympanum, compared these dimensions with those determined at anatomic dissection by Bezold, and compared them to mastoid pneumatization.
Method: Of 41 clinically normal human crania, the 5 with the smallest mastoid pneumatization areas and the 5 with the largest areas were imaged by high-resolution computed tomography, both direct axial and direct coronal. The two authors measured the heights, breadths, and lengths independently.
Results: Wide ranges were found for epitympanum heights (5.0-10.0 mm), breadths (6.0-7.0 mm). and (lengths 9.5-12.5 mm), and for mastoid sizes. The range of heights was wider than Bezold reports, but the range of breadths was tighter. Bilateral symmetry was found for mastoid pneumatization.
Conclusion: Epitympanic heights and breadths were generally consistent with the report by Bezold over 100 years ago. Epitympanic dimensions were unrelated to mastoid size.
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