Animals ; Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; Ear, Inner ; anatomy & histology ; Guinea Pigs ; Specimen Handling ; methods ; Tissue Fixation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety range of drilling and fenestration on promontory inferior to the oval window in difficult stapedectomy via anatomical study of the relationship between the inferior margin of oval window and the endosteum of basal cochlear turn.

METHODSBy means of histological sections, the distances between the inferior margin of oval window and different locations of endosteum of basal cochlear turn, the corresponding height of the projecting endosteum and the thickness of promontory bone, on three vertical sections through the anterior, posterior and midpoint of the inferior edge of oval window were measured respectively.

RESULTSThe promontory bone inferior to the posterior point of the oval window was thickest, with an average thickness of about 1.1 mm. The endosteum of basal turn at this portion was lowest, with an average height of 0.2 mm. Furthermore, the shortest distance here between the inferior edge of oval window and the endosteum could be no more than 0.3 mm.

CONCLUSIONRelatively safe location of drilling on promontory should be selected on promontory inferior to the posterior point of the oval window, with the direction of drilling outward and downward.

Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Oval Window, Ear ; anatomy & histology ; Stapes Surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the related parameters of the temporal bone structure for determining the position of implanting electrode into the scala tympani in cochlear implantation surgery through the facial recess and epitympanum approach.

METHODSIn a surgical simulation experiment, 20 human temporal bones were studied and measured to determine the related parameters of the temporal bone structure.

RESULTSThe distance 5.91∓0.29 mm between the short process of the incus and the round window niche, 2.11∓0.18 mm between the stapes and the round window niche, 6.70∓0.19 mm between the facial nerve in the perpendicular paragraph and the round window niche, 2.22∓0.21 mm from the pyramidal eminence to the round window, and 2.16∓0.14 mm between the stapes and the round window. The minimal distance between the implanting electrode and the vestibular window was 2.12∓0.19 mm. The distance between the cochleariform process and the round window niche was 3.79∓0.17 mm. The position of the cochlear electrode array insertion into the second cochlear turn was 2.25∓0.13 mm under the stapes. The location of the cochlear electrode array insertion into the second cochlear turn was 2.28∓0.20 mm inferior to the pyramidal eminence.

CONCLUSIONThese parameters provide a reference value to determine the different positions of cochlear electrode array insertion into the scale tympani in different patients.

Adult ; Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Ear, Middle ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Round Window, Ear ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Scala Tympani ; anatomy & histology ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: To explore an useful and practical method for three-dimensional reconstruction of cochlear microstructure. METHOD: A digital image dataset of magnified forty times of human cochlear tissue can be get from the serial sections of transverse cedukol images of male cadavers temporal bone. Photoshop 6.0 and Amira 3.0 software were used to deal with the digital image dataset, such as image-connecting and image inner-location and three-dimensional reconstruction of cochlear and scala media. RESULT: The result of three-dimensional reconstruction of the cedukol images represents the anatomy of human cochlear and scala media transparently and objectively. CONCLUSION The three-dimensional reconstruction technique used in the study is practical for three-dimensional of inner ear microstructure.
Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; Ear, Inner ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Microtomy ; methods ; Software

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of 3D driven equilibrium (DRIVE) imaging with 3D balanced fast field echo (bFFE) imaging in the assessment of the anatomic structures of the internal auditory canal (IAC) and inner ear at 3 Tesla (T). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty ears of 15 subjects (7 men and 8 women; age range, 22-71 years; average age, 50 years) without evidence of ear problems were examined on a whole-body 3T MR scanner with both 3D DRIVE and 3D bFFE sequences by using an 8-channel sensitivity encoding (SENSE) head coil. Two neuroradiologists reviewed both MR images with particular attention to the visibility of the anatomic structures, including four branches of the cranial nerves within the IAC, anatomic structures of the cochlea, vestibule, and three semicircular canals. RESULTS: Although both techniques provided images of relatively good quality, the 3D DRIVE sequence was somewhat superior to the 3D bFFE sequence. The discrepancies were more prominent for the basal turn of the cochlea, vestibule, and all semicircular canals, and were thought to be attributed to the presence of greater magnetic susceptibility artifacts inherent to gradient-echo techniques such as bFFE. CONCLUSION: Because of higher image quality and less susceptibility artifacts, we highly recommend the employment of 3D DRIVE imaging as the MR imaging choice for the IAC and inner ear.
Adult ; Aged ; Cochlea/anatomy & histology ; Ear, Inner/*anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Semicircular Canals/anatomy & histology ; Vestibule, Labyrinth/anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the related parameters of temporal bone structure in the surgery of cochlear implantation through facial recess approach so as to offer a theoretical reference for the avoidance of facial nerve injury and the accurate localization. METHOD: In a surgical simulation experiment, twenty human temporal bones were studied. The correlation parameters were measured under surgical microscope. RESULT: Distance between suprameatal spine and short process of incus was (12.44 +/- 0.51) mm. Width from crotch of chorda tympani nerve to stylomastoid foramen was (2.67 +/- 0.51) mm. Distance between short process of incus and crotch of chorda tympani nerve was (15.22 +/- 0.83) mm. The location of maximal width of the facial recess into short process of incus, crotch of chorda tympani nerve were (6.28 +/- 0.41) mm, (9.81 +/- 0.71) mm, respectively. The maximal width of the facial recess was (2.73 +/- 0.20) mm. The value at level of stapes and round window were (2.48 +/- 0.20 mm) and (2.24 +/- 0.18) mm, respectively. Distance between pyramidalis eminence and anterior round window was (2.22 +/- 0.21) mm. Width from stapes to underneath round window was (2.16 +/- 0.14) mm. CONCLUSION These parameters provide a reference value to determine the position of cochlear inserting the electrode array into the scale tympani and opening facial recess firstly to avoid potential damage to facial nerve in surgery.
Anatomic Landmarks ; anatomy & histology ; Chorda Tympani Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Ear, Middle ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Incus ; anatomy & histology ; Organ Sparing Treatments ; methods ; Round Window, Ear ; anatomy & histology ; Stapes ; anatomy & histology ; Temporal Bone ; anatomy & histology ; Tympanic Membrane ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the instructional effect of Multi-slice (MSCT) in the cochlear implantation pre- and post-operatively, and to contrast the image feature between the X-ray and the MSCT three-dimensional reconstruction of inner ear with implanted electrode. METHOD: Twenty-four cochlear implant (MEDEL Combi 40+) recipients,in No. 1 Hospital of China Medical University from January to October 2014, were involved in this study. Among them, 18 were male and 6 female,with an average age of 4 years. MSCT and three dimensional reconstruction of inner ear were performed in all of the 24 implanted inner ears pre- and post-operatively. And X-ray plain film were examined by using 60° lateral oblique position postoperatively. All data of the spiral CT scan with axial 1 mm image slices were transferred to workstation for three-dimensional reconstruction (direct volume rendering) of the inner ear. RESULT: In 1 of the 24 cases, preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction CT scan reveal that the length of the cochlear was shorter than the electrode. And this was confirmed by MSCT postoperatively that the electrode couldn't be inserted by full length. The insertion depth of the electrode can be evaluated directly by MSCT. Moreover, each of the electrode pairs can be identified clearly. CONCLUSION MSCT plays an indispensable role in the preoperative evaluation of cochlear implantation. Postoperative evaluation by three-dimensional reconstruction of inner ear provide more accurate image to show the electrode insertion depth in the cochlea. MSCT combined with curved planar reformation to measure cochlear length could provide guidance in choosing the more adaptive electrode. And MSCT is superior to DR in demonstration of electrode postoperatively.
Child, Preschool ; China ; Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Cochlear Implants ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Preoperative Care ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on cochlea morphology and expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in guinea pigs with endolymphatic hydrops, so as to explore the possible mechanism of EA on endolymphatic hydrops.

METHODSForty guinea pigs were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a medication group and an EA group, 10 guinea pigs in each one. Model of endolymphatic hydrops was established by using intraperitoneal injection of aldosterone. Guinea pigs in the blank group and model group were treated with identical immobilization as EA group but no treatment was given; guinea pigs in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of hydrochlorothiazide at a dose of 5 mg/kg, once a day for consecutive 10 days; guinea pigs in the EA group were treated with' EA at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Tinggong"(SI 19), once a day for consecutive 10 days. The serum ionic concentration in each group was tested by turbidimetric method; hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to measure the severity of cochlea hydrops; immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of AQP1 in the cochlea.

RESULTS(1) There was no endolymphatic hydrops in the blank group, moderate-severe endolymphatic hydrops in the model group and slight endolymphatic hydrops in the EA group and medication group. (2) The concentration of K+ and Ca2+ in the EA group was higher than that in the model group and medication group (all P<0. 01); the concentration of Na+ was lower than that in the model group (P< 0. 01) but higher than that in the medication group (P<0. 01); the concentration of Cl- was higher than that in the medication group (P<0. 01), but not significantly different from the model group (P>0. 05). (3) The ratio of expression area of AQP1 in the model group was lower than that in the blank group (P<0. 01); the ratio of expression area of AQP1 in the EA group was higher than that in the model group (P<0. 01), and lower than that in the medication group without significant difference (P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONEA could relieve the endolymphatic hydrops in guinea pigs; the mechanism is likely to be related with up-regulating the expression of AQP1 in cochlea and ion concentration might be an important factor involved.

Animals ; Aquaporins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Endolymphatic Hydrops ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the effectiveness of the granules of eliminating phlegm and removing blood stasis (GEPRB) on glucose metabolism for diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin and that on early diabetic rats cochlear histopathology.

METHODIntraperitoneally inject streptozotocin disposable of dose of 55 mg x kg(-1), so that a model of diabetic rats is created, and treated by, and simultaneously treated by Duxil as matched groups for positive, then observe the blood glucose of each group, the histopathology of cochlear, and any circumstantial change of their microstructures.

RESULTGEPRB can reduce the cumulating thickness of the basilar membrane and that of the vascular pattern, so as to tighten up the sparsity of the spiral ganglion cells.

CONCLUSIONGEPRB is rather effective on hypoglycemic for the diabetic rat model, and therapeutic goal can be achieved by improving the pathological changes of the cochlea damaged. The improvement by GEPRB for microangiopathic change of the cochlea capillary is probably the pathological basis of relieving hearing loss.

Animals ; Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; drug effects ; Diabetes Complications ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Ear Diseases ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley