Anatomical Variations of the Temporal Bones and their Interrelationships

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of anatomical variations of the temporal bone (AVTBs) and to explore the interrelationships among these variations, which could have implications for diagnosis, surgical planning and outcomes in otologic surgeries. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at a single-center hospital between November 2023 and March 2024, involving 260 patients aged 18–60 years who presented to the ENT outpatient clinic with various complaints. AVTBs were identified, and their prevalence was recorded based on the analysis of 520 temporal bones. Arterial, venous, and other anatomical variations were evaluated, and interrelationships of all variations were assessed statistically. Results: The most prevalent anatomical variations identified were Körner’s septum (KS) (70%), low-lying tegmen tympani (LLT) (54%), and facial canal dehiscence (FCD) (55.8%). Significant correlations were found between tegmen tympani dehiscence and FCD ( P < 0.001, r = 0.39). In addition, a strong correlation was observed between a large emissary vein and petrosquamous sinus ( r = 0.83). In contrast, the correlations between superior semicircular canal dehiscence and KS were weak. LLT was found to be significantly different, with 40% in females than 20% in males ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: AVTBs are common and exhibit some interrelationships that may impact surgical outcomes. Understanding these correlations is crucial for improving preoperative planning and reducing the risk of complications during otologic surgeries. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the clinical significance of these interrelationships.