Petrous apicitis may follow an acute or a chronic course. The acute form typically develops rapidly and is caused by sudden obstruction of a normally pneumatized petrous apex air cell system. This obstruction can be caused by mechanical blockage from a lesion within the mastoid or by acute mastoid inflammation.
What is a cholesterol granuloma?
Cholesterol granulomas are uncommon, benign cysts that can occur in the petrous apex, a part of the temporal bone of the skull that is next to the middle ear. They can be challenging to diagnosis as they resemble several other lesions.
What is Petrous Apicitis?
Petrous apicitis is infection and inflammation of the petrous apex of the temporal bone and the air cells it contains. It is a known complication of acute otitis media, as acute otitis media can extend medially into a pneumatized petrous apex.
What is petrous apex Cephalocele?
Petrous apex cephaloceles (PAC) are rare lesions that are characterized by cystic appearance, on radiological imaging, and extension of the posterolateral aspect of Meckel’s cave into the superomedial portion of the petrous apex [1,3].
Why is petrous used to describe the temporal bone?
Why is this term used to describe the petrous part of the temporal bone? It houses sensory structures of the inner ear that provide information about hearing and balance. What structures are found deep within the petrous part of the temporal bone?
Is a cholesterol granuloma a tumor?
Cholesterol granulomas are rare, benign tumors or cysts that develop at the tip of the petrous apex, a part of the skull next to the middle ear.
What causes cholesterol granulomas?
Cholesterol granulomas can form when the air cells in the petrous apex are obstructed. The obstruction creates a vacuum that causes blood to be drawn into the air cells. As red blood cells break down, cholesterol in the hemoglobin is released.
What is Dorellos Canal?
Dorello’s canal is an osteofibrous conduit located at the level of the petrous apex through which the abducens nerve courses to reach the cavity of the cavernous sinus. It was a well-defined space in every specimen studied and had a bow-shaped configuration.
What is Meckel’s cave?
Meckel’s cave is a dural recess in the posteromedial portion of the middle cranial fossa that acts as a conduit for the trigeminal nerve between the prepontine cistern and the cavernous sinus, and houses the Gasserian ganglion and proximal rootlets of the trigeminal nerve.
