The protympanum, protiniculum and subtensor recess: an endoscopic morphological anatomy study

N. Jufas*, A. Rubini, D. Soloperto, M. Alnoury, M. Tarabichi, D. Marchioni, N. Patel

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objectives. An anatomical study was performed to describe the endoscopic anatomy and variations of the protympanum, including classification of the protiniculum and subtensor recess.

    Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of video recordings of cadaveric dissections and surgical procedures, which included visualisation of the protympanum, across 4 tertiary university referral centres over a 16-month period. A total of 97 ears were used in the analysis.

    Results. A quadrangular conformation of the protympanum was seen in 60 per cent of ears and a triangular conformation in 40 per cent. The protiniculum was type A (ridge) in 58 per cent, type B (bridge) in 23 per cent and type C (absent) in 19 per cent. The subtensor recess was type A (absent) in 30 per cent, type B (shallow) in 48 per cent and type C (deep) in 22 per cent.

    Conclusion. The protympanum is an area that has been ignored for many years because of difficulties in visualising it with an operating microscope. However, modern endoscopic equipment has changed this, providing detailed anatomical knowledge fundamental to ensuring the safety of endoscopic surgical procedures in the region.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)489-492
    Number of pages4
    JournalJournal of Laryngology and Otology
    Volume132
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2018

    Keywords

    • Endoscopy
    • Ear
    • Middle
    • Eustachian Tube
    • Anatomy

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