Presentation
Patient presented with right sided facial pain. No ear discharge.
Patient Data
Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Foramen tympanicum
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Small focal defect noted in the anterior wall of the right EAC with herniation of the soft tissue of the right TM joint within. This bony defect is known as "foramen of Hushcke / foramen tympanicum".
Case Discussion
The foramen tympanicum is well-demonstrated on HRCT and not uncommon, occurring in 4.5% of the ears.
Foramen tympanicum or foramen of Hushcke is a defect of tympanic bone ossification and not a true foramen (no neurovascular structures traverse this foramen).
It may permit spontaneous herniation of soft tissue from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) into the EAC, which can cause TMJ pain and dysfunction.
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