만성중이염으로 인한 유양동의 면적변화

Background and Objectives: Since Wittmaack, there have been many argument on the development of pneumatization of the temporal bone. It seems generally accepted that the size variation is conducted by disposition, and that inflammation middle ear diseases occur more commonly in the smaller air cell system than in the larger. Materials and Method: High-resolution temporal bone computed tomographic (CT) images of 60 patients were measured and analyzed. Patients were aged from 4 to 67 years old. The size of air cell system on temporal bone tomography were measured by using the pie view program. Authors recognized the characteristic pattern in the distribution of size and difference between the diseased and the healthy mastoid air cells. Result: The rate of decreased mastoid pneumatization due to inflammation was 74% and the mean decreased rate was 14%. The relation between the disease duration and the decrease ratio was lowest in below 5 year of age group, and the relation between age of onset and decrease ratio was highest in below 10 year of age group. The relation between the disease severity and the decrease ratio was statistically no significant difference. Conclusion: These results consequently suggest the influence of inflammation of the middle ear on the development of pneumatization. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2003;14:262-268)