Tegmen height: preoperative value of CT on preventing dural complications in chronic otitis media surgery

Objective: The objective was to examine tegmen height in patients with iatrogenic dural exposure in chronic otitis media (COM) surgery. Methods: Computed tomographic (CT) scans of 50 patients who underwent COM surgery were retrospectively examined. Twelve patients with dural exposure were admitted to the dura group. The control group of 38 patients had no dural exposure. Tegmen heights in both groups were compared. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between opposite ears (P>.05). Significant difference was found in tegmen height between healthy and operated ears in unilateral COM patients (P=.001). Conclusion: Preoperative CT assessment of tegmen height is an important parameter in assessing risk of exposing dura during surgery. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.