Abnormally Wide Eustachian Tubes Involving the Sphenoid Bone: A Collection

Abstract

Objectives: To present nine patients with an abnormal widened bony Eustachian tube running anteriorly in the skull base through the sphenoid bone. Methods: Patients with a particular anomaly in the bony Eustachian tube incidentally found on CT examinations were registered consecutively over a period of four years. Results: Nine patients had the anomaly, eight unilaterally and one bilaterally. All our patients had additional anomalies involving the outer, middle, and/or inner ear. Conclusion: The consequences of this anomaly remain unknown, but the presence of the widened, bony ET should increase the awareness for complex temporal bone deformities and vice versa.