Temporal Bone Findings in Trisomy 18 Syndrome

Abstract

Histopathological findings in the temporal bone of a fetus with trisomy 18 syndrome are described. This study revealed many anomalies such as malformed auditory ossicles, residual mesenchyme in the middle ear, aberrant tensor tympanic muscle, absence of stapedial tendon, aberrant lateral ampullar nerve and wide endolymphatic sinus. Incus body especially was separated from the long process (right ear only).
Since Edwards first described trisomy 18 syndrome in 1960, findings in the temporal bones of twenty patients with this condition have been reported. They varied widely, ranging from a normal temporal bone to a severely malformed temporal bone.