Location of the stapedius muscle with reference to the facial nerve in patients with unilateral congenital aural atresia: implication for active middle ear implants surgery

Background: Detailed investigations of the stapedial muscle (SM) in congenital aural atresia (CAA) patients have yet to be adequately conducted. Objectives: To assess image variations in the mastoid segment of the facial nerve (FN) and SM in CAA. Materials and methods: A total of nine patients comprising of 9 ears with unilateral CAA were studied. The courses of the FN and SM were evaluated from the basic point to 1 mm intervals between the mastoid portion of FN, and measured from the mean X and Y values in each group. Results: The atresia side of FN among the Y values showed significant differences compared to the contralateral side. In terms of the SM, there were no significant differences in both the X and Y values. The stapedial muscle of the CAA patients was located medially to the FN. Conversely, the distance from the PSC to the FN revealed no significant differences with regard to the X and Y values for each group. Conclusion: The current observations revealed that the SM is located more posterior to the FN in CAA patients, and this is mainly attributed to the laterally and anteriorly displaced FN.