Todd N W
Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Am J Otol. 1998 Sep;19(5):558-64.
The eustachian tube is regarded as an etiologic factor for otitis media. Although anatomic cranial differences also are suggested as a factor, few scientifically rigorous studies of these differences have been reported.
Thirty-five adult cadaveric crania were examined.
Multiple (32) linear and angular cranial measurements were performed. For evidence of prior otitis media, there were two indicators: small mastoid pneumatization seen radiographically and abnormal tympanic membranes at photographic tympanoscopy. Each measurement and each categorization were done twice, independently. The average of the two measurements was used for each comparison. Only consistent categorizations were used for comparison.
Relatively short eustachian tubes were found to associate with both indicators of childhood otitis: r=0.39, p < 0.05. A relatively short distance from midsella turcica to staphylion, and short distance between the ears, also were associated with otitis. No angular relation of either the bony or cartilaginous eustachian tube correlated with the otitis indicators. Bilateral symmetry of pneumatization and tympanoscopic categorization, and of the various linear and angular measurements, was apparent.
The association of otitis media with some cranial base anatomic differences is endorsed. Comparatively long eustachian tubes, long distance from midsella to staphylion, and large interear length correlate with indicators of healthy middle ears.
咽鼓管被视为中耳炎的一个病因。尽管解剖学上的颅骨差异也被认为是一个因素，但很少有关于这些差异的科学严谨研究报道。
检查了35个成人尸体颅骨。
进行了多项（32项）线性和角度颅骨测量。对于既往中耳炎的证据，有两个指标：影像学上可见的小乳突气化和鼓室镜检查时鼓膜异常。每项测量和每种分类均独立进行两次。每次比较使用两次测量的平均值。仅使用一致的分类进行比较。
发现相对较短的咽鼓管与儿童中耳炎的两个指标相关：r = 0.39，p < 0.05。从中鞍结节到颧突的距离相对较短以及两耳之间的距离较短也与中耳炎有关。骨性或软骨性咽鼓管的任何角度关系均与中耳炎指标无关。气化和鼓室镜分类以及各种线性和角度测量的双侧对称性很明显。
中耳炎与一些颅底解剖学差异之间的关联得到了证实。相对较长的咽鼓管、从中鞍结节到颧突的长距离以及较大的两耳间距与健康中耳的指标相关。
