Article
Frequency of jugular bulb abnormalities in Meniere’s disease
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Published: | July 30, 2013 |
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Introduction: The anatomical position of the jugular bulb in the middle ear is variable. Abnormalities of the jugular bulb such as a high riding jugular bulb can even erode inner ear structures like the vestibular aqueduct (VA) and the cochlear aqueduct (CA). VA and CA play an important role for the inner ear hydrostatic pressure regulation. In inner ear pressure disorders such as the Meniere’s disease the function of VA and CA can be disturbed. The aim of the present study was to compare the frequency of jugular bulb abnormalities in patients with Meniere’s disease with patients without neurootological disorders.
Patients and methods: High resolution computed tomographies of temporal bones of 200 ears of Meniere’s disease patients were compared to 218 healthy ears retrospectively. The frequency and the type of jugular bulb abnormalities were examined and the anatomical relationship of the jugular bulb to VA and CA was analyzed.
Results: Jugular bulb abnormalities were more common in patients with Meniere’s disease. Bony dehiscencies of VA and CA were rare in both groups.
Conclusion: Patients with Meniere’s disease show more often temporal bone abnormalities.