Correlation Between the Degree of the Mastoid Pneumatization and the Angle and the Length of the Eustachian Tube.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to explore the correlation between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the angle (ETa) and the length of the Eustachian tube (ETl).

STUDY DESIGN: The study design consisted of a retrospective clinical chart review.

METHODS: In total, 217 patients (110 females and 107 males; average age, 33.14 ± 12.88 years; age range: 18-65 years) were included in the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups in terms of the degree of the mastoid pneumatization. The mastoid pneumatization was measured between 0 and 5 cm for group A, between 5 and 10 cm for group B, and ≥10 cm for group C. The ETa and ETl of each group were compared.

RESULTS: The mean mastoid pneumatization of groups A, B, and C was 4.32 ± 1.96, 8.26 ± 2.68, and 11.94 ± 1.28 cm, respectively. The ETl of group A was lower than that of other groups statistically (P = 0.006 and 0.018, respectively). The mean ETl did not differ between the groups B and C (P = 0.698, >0.05, respectively). The ETa of each group did not differ (all P > 0.05). The mastoid pneumatization and the ETl were higher in males than in females (P = 0.004 and 0.001, respectively). The ETa did not differ between males and females (P = 0.0158). There was a positive correlation between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the ETl (r = 0.159/P = 0.002, <0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: The present study is thus the first to analyze the relationship between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the ETa and the ETl. We found a positive correlation between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and the ETl.