Association of mastoid pneumatization with chronic otitis media: A comparative study

Objective: To identify the association between chronic otitis media (COM) and temporal bone (mastoid part) pneumatization in normal and diseased ear with chronic otitis media. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of human subjects from ten to seventy five years of age with unilateral diseased ear (COM) along with opposite normal ear without any fracture of temporal bone, pathology, or anomaly of ear. The duration of the study was from January to July 2024. The data was collected at PNS Shifa Hospital Karachi. A total ninety-two High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scans of both ears of forty-six human subjects, with one healthy and opposite ear with COM were used in this research by using purposive sampling technique. Dimensions were noted by using software "Vitrea" and readings obtained were filled in the subject evaluation form. Patients were divided into group of 6, according to the age, including both genders. Pneumatization was categorized into hyper, good, moderate and hypo. Pneumatization of right and left ear was compared having disease (COM) and healthy ears. Results: In this comparative cross-sectional study, HRCT of patients when compared for pneumatization showed highly significant result (p=0.000). Hypo-pneumatization was found in those ears having COM and hyper or good pneumatization was found in healthy ears of the individuals. Conclusion: Pneumatization was found to be decreased in ears with chronic otitis media as compared to healthy ears.