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Journals / Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 4

The relationship between sinus tympani and incus-stapes dimensions in patients with otosclerosis

Hüseyin Işık(ZONGULDAK BULENT ECEVİT UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0009-0008-4164-9726
Deniz Baklacı(ZONGULDAK BULENT ECEVİT UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-8449-4965
Berke Geren(BULENT ECEVIT UNIVERSITY)0009-0000-5808-9181
Şahin Yener(BULENT ECEVIT UNIVERSITY)0009-0008-6402-6695
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-08-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

While preoperative HRCT remains essential for localized surgical mapping, ST configurations cannot serve as a reliable anatomical indicator for predicting stapedotomy prosthesis length.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the morphometric dimensions of the middle ear cleft in otosclerosis patients using highresolution computed tomography (HRCT).
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Key Findings & Data:Specifically, we sought to classify sinus tympani (ST) configurations according to the Marchioni system and analyze whether a significant anatomical correlation exists between ST depth and the incus-stapes reconstruction distance.
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Conclusion & Impact:While preoperative HRCT remains essential for localized surgical mapping, ST configurations cannot serve as a reliable anatomical indicator for predicting stapedotomy prosthesis length.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Otosclerosis · sinus tympani · incus

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the morphometric dimensions of the middle ear cleft in otosclerosis patients using highresolution computed tomography (HRCT). Specifically, we sought to classify sinus tympani (ST) configurations according to the Marchioni system and analyze whether a significant anatomical correlation exists between ST depth and the incus-stapes reconstruction distance. Methods: A retrospective morphometric analysis was conducted on temporal bone HRCT scans of patients diagnosed with otosclerosis. Precise linear measurements were performed to determine the depth of the ST and the precise spatial distance from the long process of the incus to the stapes footplate. ST variants were categorized into type A (limited), type B (posterior), and type C (deep). Statistical analyses were utilized to evaluate the correlation between these retrotympanic variations and the ossicular span. Results: The radiological evaluation successfully mapped the distribution of Marchioni ST configurations across the cohort, reflecting highly variable posterior pneumatization patterns. Quantitative micro-measurements established baseline values for the critical incus-stapes distance required for prosthetic sizing. Statistical testing demonstrated no significant correlation between the localized depth or categorical type of the ST and the vertical incus-stapes dimension (p>0.05). Conclusion: ST morphology and depth represent independent anatomical variants that do not influence or predict the vertical ossicular measurements in patients with otosclerosis. While preoperative HRCT remains essential for localized surgical mapping, ST configurations cannot serve as a reliable anatomical indicator for predicting stapedotomy prosthesis length.

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Cite This Article

Işık, H., Baklacı, D., Geren, B., Yener, Ş. (2026). The relationship between sinus tympani and incus-stapes dimensions in patients with otosclerosis. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, Volume: 7 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1969731

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