THE ANTERIOR EPITYMPANIC RECESS - CT ANATOMY AND PATHOLOGY

PURPOSE: To describe the variation in size and shape of the anterior e pitympanic recess and to discuss pathologic processes that affect this space. METHODS: Axial CT scans of the temporal bones of 31 adults and 19 children were reviewed retrospectively to ascertain the morphology and size of the anterior epitympanic recess. Selected confirmed disea se processes involving this space were studied. RESULTS: The anterior epitympanic recess, which is consistently identified on axial CT scans , is either single or multicelled. In our study, it was made up of a s olitary cell in 61 of 100 ears. Side-to-side symmetry in shape was pre sent in 78 of 100 cases. The size of a solitary air cell ranged from 1 .0 to 7.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The configuration of the anterior epitympan ic recess is readily affected by a persistent stapedial artery, by fac ial nerve schwannomas, by hemangiomas of the facial nerve canal in the geniculate region, and by congenital and acquired cholesteatomas, Fam iliarity with the CT anatomy of this space facilitates recognition of these pathologic processes at an early stage.