Comparison of Tympanosclerosis and Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Cases in Terms of Sigmoid Sinus Position, High Jugular Bulb and Carotid Artery Dehiscence

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In Tympanosclerosis and Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) surgery; the presence of anteriorly located sigmoid sinus (ALSS), high jugular bulbus (HJB) and carotid artery dehiscence may provide a basis for undesired morbid and / or mortal complications. Therefore, it is important to evaluate these anomalies radiologically before the operation. In our study, we aimed to compare the findings of Temporal Bone Computed Tomography (TBCT) in terms of the frequency and radiological features of ALSS, HJB and carotid artery dehiscence in patients with tympanosclerosis and CSOM. METHODS: In our study, TBCT of patients who were diagnosed with 30 tympanosclerosis and 30 CSOM between March 2017 and March 2019 and therefore operated on were therefore retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: While HJB was detected in 8 (26.6%) of patients with CSOM, it was present in 11 (36.6%) of patients with tympanosclerosis. While ALSS was detected in 14 (46.6%) patients with CSOM, it was present in 21 (70%) of patients with tympanosclerosis. According to our findings, the frequency of HJB, ALSS and bilateral occurence in tympanosclerosis cases, was higher than CSOM, although it was not statistically significant. While none of the patients with CSOM had carotid artery dehiscence, 2 of the patients with tympanosclerosis had carotid artery dehiscence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result, HJB and ALSS were detected in significant numbers in our study. Therefore, we think that TBCT examination and preoperative evaluation are necessary in order to avoid possible complications, especially in cases with tympanosclerosis with higher frequency of ALSS, HJB and carotid artery dehiscence.

Keywords

• computed tomography
• jugular bulb
• carotid artery dehiscence
• chronic suppurative otitis media
• sigmoid sinus
• tympanosclerosis