Relationship between otitis media and temporal bone pneumatization [abstract]

Abstract

Chronic otitis media, or middle ear inflammation, is correlated with reduced pneumatization of the temporal bone. It is unclear whether the chronic otitis media causes reductions in the size of the air cell system, or if the initial small size of the air cell system increases the risk of chronic otitis media. However, little is known about changes of the size of the air cell system across the lifespan of individuals without otitis media. The purpose of this study was to assess changes throughout in the lifespan of temporal bone pneumatization.