Suprameatal tubercle classification; its implementation on clinical cases

Background: The suprameatal tubercle (SMT) is a variable prominence of the petrosal surface of the temporal bone that lies above the internal acoustic meatus. An enlarged SMT may present an obstacle during surgeries of the posterior fossa, including microvascular decompression or by itself cause trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: Based on our prior study of 200 temporal bones, its data collection and establishing a classification of the SMT this extension study exemplifies its clinical application. Results: According to the classification of the SMT four selected cases are clinically and anatomically correlated to exemplify the utility of this classification. Conclusion: The SMT is a structure that may have variability in its size as well as its location therefore causing a modification of the anatomy. The knowledge of this anatomical variations is important since it can modify intraoperative findings requiring microsurgical techniques to achieve better outcomes for patients.