Aims and objectives
With this study,
we propose an innovative and simpler approach to traumatic lesions of the temporal bone that differs from the traditional labyrinthine versus extralabyrintine dichotomic approach,
associated with a description of the orientation of the fracture (either oblique,
transversal,
longitudinal or sometimes more complex and difficult to analyze),
described by Ghorayeb and al in Fractures of the petrous bone in 1989.
Methods and materials
We analyzed a series of 712 patients presenting fractures of the temporal bone.
In an emergency context,
the patients symptoms were otorrhagia,
peripheral facial palsy,
otorrhea and in fewer cases pulsatile exophtalmia.
Later after the trauma,
the patients suffered from hearing loss,
vertigo,
tinnitus,
otorrhea,
peripheral facial palsy,
rhinorrhea and rarely meningitis.
All of the 712 patients in our study underwent a non-contrast CT of the temporal bone.
The study box was placed parallel to the orbital roof thus reducing the irradiation to the lens....
Results
712 patients presented 774 fractures of the temporal bone.
6.5% (n=46) of the patients had bilateral temporal bone fractures.
External ear fractures were found in 50% of the cases (n=320),
mostly concerning the anterior wall (75%,
n=240),
but external ear fractures were isolated in only 4% (n=31) of the cases.
Middle ear fractures were found in 79% (n=611) of the cases.
352 of these fractures were reanalyzed and divided in 6 types,
from A to F,
according to the entry point of the fracture in...
Conclusion
This new classification of temporal bone fractures divides them into external,
middle and inner ear fractures.
We separated the middle ear fractures in 6 types,
from A to F,
based on the entry point of the fracture.
This new biomechanic approach of the temporal bone fractures makes the reading of posterior skull base trauma much easier.
Personal information
Ms Aïna Venkatasamy,
Radiology resident,
Strasbourg University Hospital,
Strasbourg - FRANCE
[email protected]
Professor Francis Veillon,
Professor of Radiology,
Departement of Radiology 1,
Hôpital de Hautepierre,
Strasbourg University Hospital,
Strasbourg - FRANCE
[email protected]
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