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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy

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01-06-2018 | Anatomic Bases of Medical, Radiological and Surgical Techniques

Micro-CT study of the human cochlear aqueduct

Authors: Zhenghua Li, Dazhi Shi, Heng Li, Songhua Tan, Yikang Liu, Chenglin Qi, Anzhou Tang

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

Objective

The anatomic structure of the cochlear aqueduct (CA) in human temporal bone specimens was observed using micro-computed tomography (CT).

Materials and methods

Micro-CT scanning of 18-µm-thick slices was performed on 30 slides of human temporal bone specimens to observe the CA structure and its relationship with its surroundings. The length, internal and external apertures, and the narrowest width of the CA were measured. The differences in CAs were compared between high jugular bulb (HJB) specimens and normal specimens.

Results

A large number of CA images were acquired using Micro-CT scanning, which clearly displayed the basic anatomic structures, stereotactic localizations, and adjacent relationships of the CAs. The whole course of a CA was 12.31 ± 3.60 mm, the diameter of the internal aperture was 465 ± 242 µm, the diameter of the external aperture was 2.88 ± 1.06 mm, the narrowest diameter was 601 ± 335 µm, the diameter of the opening of inferior cochlear vein (ICV) was 151 ± 50 µm, the distance between the internal aperture and ICV was 270 ± 197 µm, and the distance between the inferior margin of the internal acoustic meatus (IAM) and the top most part of the external aperture of the CA was 6.783 ± 2.15 mm. No bony obstruction of the CA or CA enlargement was observed in the specimens. A total of 28 CAs had one accompanying bony canal in the surroundings. The length and travelling of the CA were not affected by the level of the jugular bulb (JB). The variation of the travelling of the ICV was larger than that of the CA.

Conclusion

Micro-CT adequately displayed the bony CA canal and provided a new method for anatomical studies of the CA and a basis for functional studies.

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Title: Micro-CT study of the human cochlear aqueduct
Authors: Zhenghua Li
Dazhi Shi
Heng Li
Songhua Tan
Yikang Liu
Chenglin Qi
Anzhou Tang
Publication date: 01-06-2018
Publisher: Springer Paris
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2020-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Micro-CT study of the human cochlear aqueduct

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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