Abstract
Objective: The petrosquamosal sinus (PSS) is an emissary vein that connects the transverse sinus and the external jugular vein. Recent studies have shown that a PSS can be identified on high resolution CT scan when it is contained within a bony canal. The persistent PSS is a potential risk of bleeding in middle ear surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of the PSS in patients with chronic otitis media.
Method: Between February 2011 and January 2012, 61 ears (47 patients) underwent CT scan before surgery for chronic otitis media. Patients younger than 10 years, showing congenital temporal bone anomaly, and having received prior ear surgeries, were excluded. The prevalence of persistent PSS was evaluated using CT scan. During the same period, 66 ears (33 patients) with peripheral facial palsy underwent CT scan. The frequency of a PSS was also examined in these patients.
Results: Among the 61 ears with chronic otitis media, a PSS was detected in 12 ears on CT scan (20.0%). Among them, the PSS was identified during surgery in 2 ears. The incidence was similar in the 2 ears (right ear: 6/32, left ear: 6/29). The PSS was more frequent in men than in women (men: 9/34, women: 3/27). In patients with facial palsy, a PSS was found in 7 of 66 ears.
Conclusion: The persisted PSS was frequently detected in patients with chronic otitis media. Care should be taken to avoid damaging this vein during the mastoid surgery.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.