THE USE OF A CT SCAN TO PREDICT THE FEASIBILITY OF DECOMPRESSION OF THE FIRST SEGMENT OF THE FACIAL-NERVE VIA THE TRANSATTICAL APPROACH

Total surgical decompression of the facial nerve can be offered to pat ients severely affected by Bell's palsy whether via the transattical o r middle fossa approach. We prefer, when feasible, the transattical ap proach because it does not violate the cranial vault. The purpose of t his study was to find the anatomical parameter of the temporal bone, m easured by means of computed tomography (CT scan) and to decide which of these approaches should be offered. Sixty temporal bones were studi ed by CT scan, and then dissected in order to perform total facial ner ve decompression via the transattical approach. Correlation between th e two studies was established. Results suggest that measurement by CT scan of the, attical area in the axial plane (AAA) may determine those patients for whom the transattical approach to facial nerve decompres sion should be undertaken.