Bifurcation of the facial nerve in mastoid segment / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To analyze the incidence of the bifurcation of the facial nerve in mastoid segment and to give the anatomic information for mastoid surgery. METHODS From March 2005 to April 2006, there were 112 patients undergoing the decompress operations which the range included the mastoid segment. The bifurcation of the mastoid segment was recorded and compared with the preoperational High-resolution Computed tomography (HRCT) scans. RESULTS There were 5 cases with the nerve bifurcation. The incidence was 4.5 %. Four of those 5 cases were diagnosed preoperatively by HRCT scans (the accurate rate was 80 %). CONCLUSION Bifurcation of the mastoid segment was not rare. Otologic surgeon should pay attention to this anatomic variation to avoid injuring the branch of the facial nerve. HRCT scans were useful to find this abnormality.