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The temporal bones are located on the side of the skull and include the structures of the ear canal and middle and inner ear. Disease or damage to the temporal bone may cause symptoms such as hearing loss, facial paralysis or bleeding from the ear. Accurate diagnosis of these conditions is essential in preserving hearing and ensuring proper treatment.
A CT scan may be performed to diagnose a fracture, infection or other disease of the temporal bone, as it provides several different cross-sectional images of this area for complete visual assessment of the inner ear and related structures. After a CT scan, your doctor will develop a customized treatment approach for your individual condition.
Patients who suffer from recurrent ear infections or fluid in the ear may benefit from pressure equalization (PE) tubes. PE tubes, also called tympanostomy or ventilation tubes, are small inserts that are surgically placed in the eardrum under monitored sedation in children, or under local anesthetic for adults on an outpatient basis in our Los Angeles area office. Adult patients can usually return to work and other regular activities the same day, while children can return to school the next day. PE tubes allow air to enter the middle ear and fluid to drain effectively, while also restoring hearing and preventing fluid from building up again in the future.
Tympanostomy tubes are usually considered when a patient has fluid in one or both ears for more than 3 months or has recurring ear infections. The tubes drain the ears of fluid and allow ventilation of the middle ear. Tympanostomy tubes typically stay in place for 6-12 months, at which time they fall out on their own or, less commonly, are surgically removed. The tubes are usually effective in preventing ear infections.
Ossiculoplasty is a surgical procedure that repairs the bones within the middle ear to restore movement after they have been damaged by infection, disease, or trauma. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with tympanoplasty and is intended to improve hearing. During this procedure, an incision is made either within the ear canal or behind the ear to access the middle ear and may involve moving the bone or inserting a graft to improve the movement of the middle ear bones and allow for improved hearing. This procedure is performed under either general or local anesthesia on an outpatient basis in our Los Angeles area facility.
A mastoidectomy is the surgical removal of infected air cells within the mastoid bone (the prominent bone behind the ear), which may be result from mastoiditis, ear infections, the presence of a cholesteatoma or inflammatory conditions of the middle ear. Mastoid air cells are open spaces containing air found in the mastoid bone. They are connected to a cavity in the upper part of the mastoid bone, which connects to the middle ear. Infections in the middle ear can therefore spread to the mastoid bone, making surgery necessary if antibiotics are not effective. The goals of surgery are to remove the infected portions of the mastoid bone or to decompress the facial nerve in cases of facial paralysis.
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct large, protruding or otherwise deformed ears. Unlike most other plastic surgery procedures, otoplasty is often performed on children, as well as adults. In addition to correcting ears that are naturally large or deformed, otoplasty can also repair damage caused by an accident or injury.
During the otoplasty procedure, an incision is made behind the ear to reshape the cartilage and adjust the size and position of the ears for a more natural-looking appearance. For children, this procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia, while adults usually require only local anesthesia and sedation. Both ears may be operated on in order to achieve better balance. The results of the otoplasty procedure are permanent and scars will fade with time to become less noticeable.
Otolaryngologists Dr. Robert John Adair, M.D., Dr. Robert J. Andrews, M.D., Dr. David M. Butler, M.D., Dr. Brian Lee, M.D., and Dr. Chipp St. Kevin Miller, M.D., serving Santa Monica, Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
Southern California Head and Neck Medical Group | 1301 20th Street | Suite 300 | Santa Monica, CA 90404 | 310-829-7792 | www.headneck.com
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