Sinus tympani and recidiva in cholesteatoma surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Sinus tympani (ST) is one of the areas with the most residual choles- teatoma. Recently it has been classified in 3 types according to its morphology. Aim: To determine the type of ST in patients undergoing cholesteatoma surgery and to analyze its impact as a relapse factor. Material and method: Review of clinical files of patients submitted to cholesteatoma surgery between 2004 and 2015 at the Regional Hospital of Concepción. Preoperative computed axial tomography (CT) analysis and subsequent clinical evaluation of patients operated by canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWD). Results: In the described period 271 ears were operated. 60% of the cases analyzed had ST type A and 40% ST type B. Twelve cases of relapse were identified, 3 ST type B and 9 ST type A, with no statistically significant difference between the two. Discussion: Unlike to what is reported in the literature, the most common ST type in our study was type A, which could correspond to an ethnic variable. Conclusion: The preoperative study with CT is a useful tool to evaluate the type and commitment of ST. The anatomical differences between ST type A and B seems not to be a determinant factor of relapse in CWD mastoidectomies.