What is petrous apex lesions?
The petrous apex refers to a portion of the temporal bone situated approximately two to three inches in from the outer portion of the ear. Fluid-filled cysts, cholesteatomas, cholesterol granulomas, and other types of lesions may develop on the petrous apex and require medical intervention.
What is a petrous apex Cephalocele?
Petrous apex cephaloceles (PAC) are rare lesions that are characterized by cystic appearance, on radiological imaging, and extension of the posterolateral aspect of Meckel’s cave into the superomedial portion of the petrous apex [1,3].
Where is the apex of the brain?
The anterosuperior or cerebral portion of the apex forms the floor of the middle cranial fossa. Landmarks on the floor of the middle fossa are as follows: Depression for the diverticulum of dura and arachnoid, known as the Meckel cave, which houses the gasserian ganglion of the trigeminal nerve.
What is petrous apex cholesterol granuloma?
Cholesterol granulomas are rare, benign (noncancerous) cysts that can occur at the tip of the petrous apex, a part of the skull that is next to the middle ear. The cysts are expanding masses that contain fluids, lipids, and cholesterol crystals, surrounded by a fibrous lining.
What does Petrous mean in anatomy?
Definition of petrous : of, relating to, or constituting the exceptionally hard and dense portion of the human temporal bone that contains the internal auditory organs.
What is the petrous bone?
The human petrous bone in the skull protects the inner ear structures. Found near our ears, this pyramid-shaped portion of the temporal bone is nicknamed the petrous bone.
What is petrous bone?
Is cholesterol granuloma a brain tumor?
Cholesterol granulomas are rare, benign tumors or cysts that develop at the tip of the petrous apex, a part of the skull next to the middle ear. While benign, cholesterol granulomas are still dangerous as they can grow and push up against the ear and important facial nerves.
What is the function of the petrous part?
It transmits the facial and acoustic nerves and the internal auditory branch of the basilar artery. The lateral end of the canal is closed by a vertical plate, which is divided by a horizontal crest, the falciform crest, into two unequal portions.
What does petrous part of temporal bone mean?
What does the term Petrous mean?
What is this lesion on my petrous apex?
The petrous apex can have lesions and tumors within it. The most common type of lesion is a petrous apex fluid filled cyst. This petrous apex cyst may take the form of a petrous apex cholesterol granuloma, cholesteatoma (epidermoid), or other type of lesion. You may reference the Anatomy of the Ear page for better understanding of the anatomy.
What are the signs and symptoms of petrous apex effusion?
Results: Eighteen of the 31 patients had clinical symptoms referable to the petrous apex effusion with the following characteristics: indolent and previous infections (4), hearing loss (3), headache and pressure alone (8), facial spasms (1), and positional vertigo (2).
What is the pathophysiology of petrous apex granuloma?
Petrous apex cholesterol granulomas appear to occur when there is bleeding into the air pockets in the petrous apex and a cyst forms around it. Petrous apex cholesteatomas can be congenital or acquired.
Where is the petrous apex of the skull?
The petrous apex is located in the center of the head approximately 2-3 inches from the outside of your ear. It is one of the most inaccessible areas to reach in the skull. The petrous apex can have lesions and tumors within it. The most common type of lesion is a petrous apex fluid filled cyst.
