Article Figures & Data
Figures
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- 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).
Tables
Foramen tympanicum reported in the literature
Patient Age (y)/Sex Side and History Physical Finding Imaging Finding Diagnosis Heffez et al. 19893 67/F R, pain Swelling/OMR CT: bony defect, MRI: herniation TMJ herniation 53/F R, pain Swelling/OMR Polystomograms: tympanic plate defect TMJ herniation Weissman et al, 19914 15/F L Swelling/OMR NA TMJ herniation Sharma et al, 19845 58/F R, otorrhea Anterior punctum, flow while sucking on a sweet NA Salivary fistula Chilla, 20026 62/F L, otorrhea Anterior polyp NA Salivary fistula Dingle, 19927 75/M R, pain Swelling/OMR NA EAC fistula Tahir and Rubinstein 200017 64/M R, HL Clear fluid on anterior wall CT: bony defect Arthritis Hawke et al, 198718 68/F R/L, HL Swelling/OMR CT: anterior bony defect, soft tissue herniation/OM anterior retraction Meniscus herniation Cecire and Austin, 199119 60/M L, otorrhea Polyp CT: anterior defect, soft tissue herniation Polyp Hawke et al, 198820 58/F R, otorrhea Swelling/OMR CT: R/L dehiscence of anterior wall EAC fistula Our study 52/F L, otorrhea Normal Sialo-CT: subcutaneous nodular enhancement Salivary fistula 90/F R, pain Swelling CT: soft tissue herniation TMJ herniation Our series 58/F L NA CT: foramen tympanicum NA 38/F R/L NA CT: foramen tympanicum NA 92/F R NA CT: foramen tympanicum NA 39/M R/L NA CT: foramen tympanicum NA Note.—NA = not applicable, OMR = retraction upon opening of mouth, HL = hearing loss.
