Relationship between the degree of mastoid pneumatization and the presence of persistent foramen of Huschke.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the degree of mastoid pneumatization and the presence of persistent foramen of Huschke (FH). Temporal computed tomography images of 714 patients (1428 ears) who applied to the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital between January 2016 and June 2018 were retrospectively analysed. We compared the mastoid pnomatization levels of 95 patients (74 females, 21 males, mean age 53.18±15.09years) who had persistent FH and 135 patients (103 females, 32 males, mean age 54.29±15.82years) with no FH who had similar age and gender. FH was found to be unilateral (right: 23, left: 45) in 68 (71.5%) out of 95 patients with FH, and FH was bilateral in 27 (28.4%) patients. The degree of mastoid pnomatization of the patients with FH was significantly higher than the patients without FH (p=0.015). The degree of pneumatization of the mastoid bone may lead to persistent FH by affecting the ossification process of the tympanic segment, which has a close anatomical relationship with it.

Relationship of age to foramen of Huschke and investigation of the development of spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, localization, and width of the foramen of Huschke (FH) and the relationship between age and FH. Another aim was to investigate the development of spontaneous temporomandibular joint (TMJ) herniation. This was a retrospective review of high-resolution computed tomography images of the temporal bone of 1025 patients. The prevalence of FH and the axial and sagittal diameters of the foramen were evaluated. Cases were found in which the TMJ had herniated through FH into the EAC. FH was detected in 137 (13.4%) of 1025 patients. The prevalence of FH was higher in females (18.4%) than in males (6.6%) (P<0.001). The presence of FH increased with age (P=0.005). Herniation of the TMJ through FH into the EAC was seen in four patients (0.4%), and 2.9% of patients with FH detected had TMJ herniation into the EAC. As well as being congenital, FH can also be senile; the prevalence may increase with age. Herniation of the TMJ through FH into the EAC is very rare; this was observed in 0.4% of all patients and 2.9% of patients with FH detected.