DEVELOPMENT OF THE FACIAL RECESS - IMPLICATIONS FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION

More attention is being focused on the growth and development of the f acial recess because of the use of cochlear implantation in children o ver 2 years of age and the prospect of using implants in even younger children. The facial recess and the extended facial recess were measur ed in 123 temporal bones from 73 individuals ranging in age from 8 wee ks in utero to 7 years after birth. The goals mere to trace the develo pment of the facial recess and to determine whether this area continue s to grow into childhood. The facial recess enlarges throughout fetal life with the development of the facial canal and the tympanic annulus . Reichert's cartilage, seen early in utero in the facial recess, grad ually resorbs but may persist in the newborn. in full-term infants. th e facial recess reaches 3.25 mm at the oral window and 2.62 mm at the round window The extended facial recess reaches 3.79 mm at the oval wi ndow and 3.04 mm at the round window No statistically significant grow th of the facial recess after birth could be demonstrated in this stud y The data suggest that the facial recess Is probably adult sized at b irth and should allow surgical access for cochlear implantation in ver y young children.