Middle ear gas pressure regulation: the relevance of mastoid obliteration.

Objectives: To establish a mathematical model of middle ear gas pressure regulation and to discuss potential implications for pathophysiology-oriented theoretical approach to middle ear surgery, with particular attention to mastoid obliteration.

Background: Numerous studies support that small mastoid volume is associated with cholesteatoma. Latest studies show that mastoid obliteration is an effective technique to lower the recurrence rate in these ears.

Volume and surface of the mastoid cell system in otitis media with effusion in children: a case-control study by three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomographic images.

Objective: To characterize the pneumatization of the temporal bone in age-matched healthy children and in children with otitis media with effusion (OME).

Study Design: Prospective case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary hospital center.