Age-related changes in the second knee area of the facialcana

Abstract

The aim of the study was to measure the cross-sectional area near the second knee of the facial canal and to estimate the dependence of their values on age. Our data is of relevance for practical neuropathology, and may be one of the factors explaining the occurrence of paralysis and paresis of the facial nerve as a result of its compression in the facial canal (Bell's syndrome). Material and research methods: The material for the study was tomograms of 28 patients (11 women, 17 men) of different ages, taken from the archives of the Department of Radiation Diagnostics and Radiation Therapy, Azerbaijan Medical University (Baku, Azerbaijan). The studies were carried out on a computer tomograph "Toshiba aquilion 128 ct scanner". Computed tomography made it possible to measure the bone canal in the axial and coronal planes. Images with insufficient image quality were not included in the study. Results: This study confirmed an anatomical difference in facial canal cross-sectional area in patients of different ages. The measurements showed that with age there is an increase in the cross-sectional area of the facial canal. However, in patients aged 46–69 years, there is a noticeable decrease in this indicator. This can be attributed to a decrease in the width of the mastoid segment of the facial canal in this age group.