Pneumatized middle ear ossicle - A normal variant

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.

Keywords: Middle ear; Middle ear ossicle; Normal variant; Pneumatized incus.