A Ilea1, A Butnaru2, S A Sfrângeu2, M Hedeşiu3, C M Dudescu4, P Berce5, H Chezan5, L Hurubeanu6, V E Trombiţaş7, R S Câmpian8, S Albu7. 1. From the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Oral Health and Dental Office Management (R.S.C., I.A.) cseh.aranka@umfcluj.ro. 2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology (A.B., S.A.S.). 3. Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Dental Radiology (M.H.). 4. Faculty of Mechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering (C.M.D.), Technical University Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 5. Faculty of Machine Building, Department of Manufacturing Engineering (P.B., H.C.). 6. Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (L.H.), "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 7. Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Cervicofacial and Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery (S.A., V.E.T.). 8. From the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Oral Health and Dental Office Management (R.S.C., I.A.).
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The mastoid portion of the temporal bone has multiple functional roles in the organism, including regulation of pressure in the middle ear and protection of the inner ear. We investigated whether mastoid pneumatization plays a role in the protection of vital structures in the temporal bone during direct lateral trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 20 human temporal bones isolated from cadavers. In the study group formed by 10 temporal bone samples, mastoid cells were removed and the resulting neocavities were filled. The mastoids were maintained intact in the control group. All samples were impacted at the same speed and kinetic energy. The resultant temporal bone fractures were evaluated by CT. RESULTS: Temporal squama fractures were 2.88 times more frequent, and mastoid fractures were 2.76 times more frequent in the study group. Facial nerve canal fractures were 6 times more frequent in the study group and involved all the segments of the facial nerve. Carotid canal fractures and jugular foramen fractures were 2.33 and 2.5 times, respectively, more frequent in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: The mastoid portion of the temporal bone plays a role in the absorption and dispersion of kinetic energy during direct lateral trauma to the temporal bone, reducing the incidence of fracture in the setting of direct trauma.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The mastoid portion of the temporal bone has multiple functional roles in the organism, including regulation of pressure in the middle ear and protection of the inner ear. We investigated whether mastoid pneumatization plays a role in the protection of vital structures in the temporal bone during direct lateral trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 20 human temporal bones isolated from cadavers. In the study group formed by 10 temporal bone samples, mastoid cells were removed and the resulting neocavities were filled. The mastoids were maintained intact in the control group. All samples were impacted at the same speed and kinetic energy. The resultant temporal bone fractures were evaluated by CT. RESULTS:Temporal squama fractures were 2.88 times more frequent, and mastoid fractures were 2.76 times more frequent in the study group. Facial nerve canal fractures were 6 times more frequent in the study group and involved all the segments of the facial nerve. Carotid canal fractures and jugular foramen fractures were 2.33 and 2.5 times, respectively, more frequent in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: The mastoid portion of the temporal bone plays a role in the absorption and dispersion of kinetic energy during direct lateral trauma to the temporal bone, reducing the incidence of fracture in the setting of direct trauma.