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Foramen Tympanicum, or Foramen of Huschke: Pathologic Cases and Anatomic CT Study

Alexis Lacouta, Kathlyn Marsot-Dupucha, Wendy R. K. Smokerb and Pierre Lasjauniasa

a Department of Neuroradiology, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris XI University, France
b Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City



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  		FIG 1. HRCT sections of the temporal bone through the inferior portion of the EAC. Images show the anteroinferior location of the foramen tympanicum, posterior to the TMJ (arrowhead).

A, Axial.

B, Sagittal.



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  		FIG 2. Axial HRCT sections of the temporal bone in two patients through the same level at the inferior portion of the EAC.

A, Normal tympanic bone.

B, Focal anteroinferior reduction in tympanic bone thickness 2 mm lateral to the tympanic membrane (arrowhead).



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  		FIG 3. Axial HRCT sialograms (soft tissue window) of the left parotid gland through the inferior portion of the EAC show (arrow) submucosal nodular enhancement in the foramen tympanicum, suggesting ectopic salivary-gland tissue.



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  		FIG 4. Axial HRCT sections (bone window) of the temporal bone through the inferior portion of the EAC.

A, Closed-mouth view shows herniation of soft tissue herniation into the EAC 2 mm lateral to the tympanic membrane (arrowhead).

B, Open-mouth view show subcutaneous air pockets spreading along the TMJ (arrow). Slight retraction of the soft tissue material is noted when the mouth is open.

C, Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR image (TE/TR, 500 /15) through the inferior portion of the EAC shows enhancement of the herniating soft tissue (arrowhead).



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  		FIG 5. Schema illustrates normal postnatal development of the tympanic bone (used with permission from Anson BJ, Donaldson JA. Surgical Anatomy of the Temporal Bone. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders; 1981:122).





Copyright © 2009 by the American Society of Neuroradiology. Print ISSN: 0195-6108 Online ISSN: 1936-959X