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Pars flaccida retraction and mastoid size: relationship in clinically normal specimens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2007

N W Todd
N W Todd*
Affiliation:
Temporal Bone Laboratory, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr N Wendell Todd, Temporal Bone Laboratory, Emory University, 1365A Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. E-mail: ntodd@emory.edu
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Abstract

Background:

The relationship of pars flaccida retraction with epitympanic aeration and mastoid size is ill-defined. Both pars flaccida retraction and small mastoid size are traits of nearly all clinical entities of otitis media.

Objectives:

To determine, in clinically normal specimens, the relationship of pars flaccida retraction with mastoid pneumatisation and epitympanic aeration.

Study design:

Post-mortem anatomical dissection of 41 bequeathed adult crania without clinical otitis.

Methods:

Pars flaccida retractions were viewed with an operating microscope and judged using Sade's classification. Mastoid sizes were determined radiographically (by plain Law lateral images). Ten crania, five with the largest mastoids and five with the smallest mastoids, were studied by computed tomography.

Results:

No specimen had a retraction worse than Sade grade two (i.e. retracted onto the neck of the malleus). Retractions were unrelated to the extent of mastoid pneumatisation. All epitympani were found to be normal on both anatomical dissection and computed tomography imaging.

Conclusion:

Pars flaccida retraction is probably related to prior, presumably transient, non-aeration of Prussak's space.

Keywords

Middle EarTympanic MembraneMalleusMastoidOtitis MediaCholesteatoma
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 121 , Issue 11 , November 2007 , pp. 1020 - 1024
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the meeting of the Southern Section of the Triological Society, 12–14 January 2006, Naples, Florida, USA.

References

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