Inflammatory disease of the anterior epitympanum.

The sinus epitympani, an anterior extension of the epitympanum, juxtaposes the attic with the protympanum and the eustachian tube. A review of 94 horizontally sectioned temporal bones revealed this space consistently present but variable in size. In 48 temporal bones with acute or chronic inflammatory disease, the pathologic findings in the anterior epitympanum coexisted with those in the middle ear and mastoid. In temporal bones with inflammatory disease, the size of the pediatric sinus was significantly smaller than the sinus in diseased adult bones. Surgical exploration of this area is proposed for more complete removal of diseased tissue and improved ventilation of the attic.