The International Tinnitus Journal

The International Tinnitus Journal

Official Journal of the Neurootological and Equilibriometric Society
Official Journal of the Brazil Federal District Otorhinolaryngologist Society

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ISSN: 0946-5448

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Abstract

Round-Window Anatomical Considerations in Intratympanic Drug Therapy for Inner-Ear Diseases

Author(s): Rui Penha and Pedro Escada

Our aim was to elucidate the importance of anatomical aspects in planning local therapies for inner-ear diseases. The study undertakes the anatomical evaluation, from a surgical-approach perspective, of the relationship between the false and true round-window membranes. As our design, we chose a human temporal bone dissection study, for which we used 20 fresh temporal bones. After an exploratory tympanotomy and atticotomy, we drilled the anterosuperior (promontory) edge of the round-window niche until the true round-window membrane was completely exposed. We registered the presence or absence and the extent of the false round-window membranes on the round-window niche. We found false round-window membranes obstructing the round-window niche partially or completely in five temporal bones (25%). Complete obstruction was present in one temporal bone (5%). We found mucoperiosteal folds obstructing the round-window niche partially or completely in a significant proportion of the ears. These anatomical particularities could account, at least partially, for the great variability of the results of intratympanic therapies for inner-ear diseases

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