Körner's septum (petrosquamosal lamina): the anatomical variant or clinical problem?

Körner's septum (KS) or petrosquamosal lamina is a bony lamina beginning at the articular fossa, extending above the middle ear, and running inferiorly and laterally to the facial nerve canal as it proceeds to the mastoid apex. This septum marks the junction of petrous and squamous bones. The paper presents details of the anatomical structure of KS, which is most often present at the level of the head of the malleus and/or the anterior semicircular canal. Attention is paid to embryological aspects of temporal bone development that lead to the formation of KS. Two imaging techniques most frequently used to diagnose KS are described, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and cone-beam computed tomography. Also presented is a case report of a 6-year-old patient suffering from chronic otitis media who developed a cholesteatoma due to presence of KS, illustrated with HRCT images and intraoperative capture. The authors describe diagnostic difficulties associated with this anatomical variant in the middle ear. The article also discusses the more frequent occurrence of this clinical problem in ears operated on due to chronic inflammation, retraction pocket or tympanosclerosis in comparison to healthy ears.

[Unusual history of the chemodectoma of parapharyngeal space]. / Klebczak przestrzeni przygardlowej o nietypowym przebiegu klinicznym.

A case of chemodectoma in 58 year old woman is presented. The tumour was located in the parapharyngeal space. During preoperative arteriography and embolization a hemiparesis was noticed, probably caused by the thrombus in the cerebral medial artery. Early radiological examination of brain arteries allowed to perform specific treatment in only two hours time from the onset of the paresis. The treatment was successful--neurological symptoms have receded after 24 hours. Few days later patient was operated on--the tumour was removed with part of the vagus nerve. No serious postoperative complications were observed.