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Neuroradiology| Volume 69, P179-181, January 2021

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Pneumatized middle ear ossicle – A normal variant

      Highlights

      • The middle ear ossicles have varying normal morphology.
      • The pneumatized incus and malleus are rare normal anatomic variants and should not be confused with pathological erosions.
      • Important to mention a pneumatized ossicle in the radiology report due to potential surgical implications.

      Abstract

      It is important to be familiar with normal anatomic variants in order to not to mistake them for pathology. It is well known that the middle ear ossicles have varying normal morphology on gross anatomy, but can also be malformed in certain congenital syndromes or eroded in the setting of chronic ear infection or cholesteatoma. This case series describes the pneumatized ossicle on imaging, a rare normal anatomic variant.

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