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The Length of the Incus is a Predictor of the Location of the Mastoid Segment of the Facial Nerve
Author(s) -
Allison Wes A.,
Gadre Arun K.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.21538
Subject(s) - incus , otorhinolaryngology , medicine , library science , anatomy , computer science , stapes , surgery , middle ear
Facial palsy is one of the most devastating unintended consequences of mastoid surgery. Despite advances in microsurgical techniques, nerve monitoring, and imaging technologies this complication is known to occur. Several observational techniques are used to help approximate the position of the facial nerve. By their nature these are imprecise, and precise measurements are lacking. Moreover, a simple method to reliably predict the actual location of the mastoid portion of the facial nerve has not been developed. This paper sets out to examine if the length of the upper border of the incus is a predictor of the location of the mastoid portion of the facial nerve.