A Study on the Position of the Mastoid Antrum of Korean People in the Temporal Bone CT / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography of the temporal bone can provide otologists precise informations regarding the middle ear diseases. In this study, we aimed to measure the distance of mastoid antrum using the temporal bone CT for predicting the distance of mastoid depth during the mastoid surgery. MAERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed normal ears of 88 patients who visited the Department of Otolaryngology, Chonnam University Hospital during the period between Aug. 1996 and Aug. 1997. These patients demonstrated unilateral chronic otitis media, temporal bone fracture, and traumatic facial nerve palsy. RESULTS: The mean distance of mastoid antrum was 11.45mm. The distance of mastoid antrum according to age distribution showed 7.75 mm in 0-4 year old group, 10.35 mm in 5-9 year old group, 10.71 mm in 10-14 year old group, 11.50 mm in 15-19 year old group, and 11.93 mm in over 20 year old group. The distance also differed between males and females, with 2.84 mm for male and 11.24 mm for female. CONCLUSION: For the group under 20 years old, the distance of mastoid antrum increased as the patient's age became older. Especially, the group who were between 5 to 9 years old showed marked increase in the distance, and the distance did not differ between male and female. The distance of the mastoid antrum of the Korean adults was 10.1-13.7 mm and it represents some difference when compared with that of Westerners.

Analysis of Coins in the Esophagus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Esophageal foreign bodies caused by accidents and carelessness are very common problems in otorhinolaryngology field. They are closely related to regional life style, culture, and economical status. The lodgement of coins in the esophagus is one of the most common foreign body problems. It occurs usually under the age of 10 years. From March, 1981 through September, 1996, one hundred and forty-nine patients were analysed. Most common coin type was one hundred won-coin(51.2mm flat circumference). One half of the cases were under 3.5 years old. Ninety percent of the cases were under 7.6 years of age. Over half the ten won-coins(48.8mm flat circumference) were found under 3.3 years old, and 90 percent of the cases in which those coins were lodged were found to be less than 4.5 years of age. None could seen under one years old or above ten. This result suggests that there are relative correlation between coin size and patient age.