Hüseyin IŞIK, Deniz BAKLACI, Berke GEREN, Şahin YENER
Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care - 2026;7(4):864-868
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the morphometric dimensions of the middle ear cleft in otosclerosis patients using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Specifically, we sought to classify sinus tympani (ST) configurations according to the Marchioni system and analyze whether a significant anatomical correlation exists between ST depth and the incus-stapes reconstruction distance. Methods: A retrospective morphometric analysis was conducted on temporal bone HRCT scans of patients diagnosed with otosclerosis. Precise linear measurements were performed to determine the depth of the ST and the precise spatial distance from the long process of the incus to the stapes footplate. ST variants were categorized into type A (limited), type B (posterior), and type C (deep). Statistical analyses were utilized to evaluate the correlation between these retrotympanic variations and the ossicular span. Results: The radiological evaluation successfully mapped the distribution of Marchioni ST configurations across the cohort, reflecting highly variable posterior pneumatization patterns. Quantitative micro-measurements established baseline values for the critical incus-stapes distance required for prosthetic sizing. Statistical testing demonstrated no significant correlation between the localized depth or categorical type of the ST and the vertical incus-stapes dimension (p>0.05). Conclusion: ST morphology and depth represent independent anatomical variants that do not influence or predict the vertical ossicular measurements in patients with otosclerosis. While preoperative HRCT remains essential for localized surgical mapping, ST configurations cannot serve as a reliable anatomical indicator for predicting stapedotomy prosthesis length.
