The mastoid emissary vein (MEV), mastoid emissary canal (MEC), and mastoid emissary foramen (MEF) are common but variably reported structures of the mastoid-posterior fossa region. Existing literature is fragmented across osteological, imaging-based, and clinical studies, with inconsistent prevalence and morphometric estimates, and with limited integration of anatomical variation into surgical and radiological...
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for audiologists; this is a surgical and radiologic anatomy reference relevant to neurotologists and skull-base surgeons, not routine audiology practice.
A thorough anatomical characterization of the mastoid emissary vein improves surgical safety planning for procedures in the mastoid and posterior fossa region.
- 01Reviews anatomy, variability, and imaging appearance of the mastoid emissary vein, foramen, and canal.
- 02Published in Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy (DOI: 10.1007/s00276-026-03912-z).
- 03Clinical implications focus on surgical risk and procedural planning near the mastoid.
- 04Variability in anatomy underscores the need for pre-operative imaging review.
- 05Relevant primarily to neurotologists, otologic surgeons, and radiologists.
Variability in mastoid emissary vein anatomy has clinical implications for surgical procedures in the mastoid-posterior fossa region.
studysupported- PMID
- 42223687
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00276-026-03912-z.
- Journal
- Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Anatomical specimens and imaging datasets of the mastoid-posterior fossa region
- Intervention
- Anatomical review and imaging characterization of the mastoid emissary vein
Primary outcomes
Anatomical variability of mastoid emissary vein, foramen, and canal; Imaging characteristics; Clinical implications for surgery