Morphometry of the Digastric Ridge and Its Significance for Mastoid Surgeries—A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Objective: Digastric ridge (DR) is an important landmark to locate facial nerve (FN) and sigmoid sinus for mastoid surgeries and transmastoid approaches. We aim to look for the effect of temporal bone pneumatization on the morphometry of the DR and its relation to the adjoining structures. Methods: Temporal bones were harvested from unclaimed cadavers after the approval of the ethical committee. The dissection of the temporal bones was performed under a microscope, and the length of the DR and the distance between the mastoid segment of the FN and the anterior end of DR (FN-DR distance) were measured using a digital caliper. Stata version 14.0 was used to perform the statistical calculations. Results: Ninety-three temporal bones were microdissected (right:left = 47:46; well pneumatized:poorly pneumatized = 58:35). Mean length of the DR was 17.1 mm and was significantly longer in well-pneumatized bones ( P = .0000). The mean distance between the anterior end of the digastric ridge and the mastoid part of the facial nerve was 4 mm. The distance was significantly more in well-pneumatized bones. Conclusion: Prominence and the length of the DR, as well as the FN-DR distance, are significantly more in well-pneumatized bones compared to poorly pneumatized bones. This finding has potential surgical implications with reduced risk of injury to the FN resulting from a conspicuous DR in well-pneumatized bones.