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. 2009 Mar-Apr;75(2):261-7.
doi: 10.1016/s1808-8694(15)30788-6.

A method for measuring the length of the cochlea through magnetic resonance imaging

Fernando Pochini Sobrinho  1 , Paulo Roberto Lazarini, Hea Jung Yoo, Luiz de Abreu Júnior, Altino de Sá Meira
Affiliations

A method for measuring the length of the cochlea through magnetic resonance imaging

Fernando Pochini Sobrinho et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2009 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

We know that hearing impairment affects a large part of the population. In cases of profound and bilateral hearing loss, children may have problems in speech development, as well as communication and socialization. Cochlear implants have been used as a treatment option in these cases. Today, inner ear MRI is a mandatory test in the preoperative evaluation of these individuals. In our daily routines, we wonder whether MRI can provide not only qualitative, but also quantitative data, with real cochlear linear values built from three dimension images.

Aims: The aim of the present investigation is to propose a method to obtain MRI cochlear length measures from the temporal bones of cadavers.

Material and methods: We assessed three dimensional images from the cochlea of six cadavers. By overlapping digitalized rulers on these images it was possible to measure cochlear length.

Results: These measures varied between 17 and 26.5 millimeters.

Conclusions: We have concluded that it was possible to measure cochlear length from three dimensional MRI images, by employing the method hereby proposed.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
3D reconstructed MRI protocol
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
3D reconstructed MRI protocol (continued).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
3D magnetic resonance image of case 3.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Scheme for measuring the length of the spiral canal of cochlea in 3D magnetic resonance images. R=measurement in MRI. V=vestibule, A=apex, CEC= spiral canal of cochlea.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Schematic drawing showing how 3D magnetic resonance imaging measurements were done. R=measurement between two points in the spiral canal of cochlea (CEC). Measurements were done from the vestibule towards the apex of the cochlea, using 2 mm predefined measures for the first six measurements (R1, R2,……, R6) and predefined 2 mm, 1.5 mm or 1.0 mm measures for measurements from R6 to Rx (R14).
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
3D magnetic resonance image chosen for providing the best image of the turns of the spiral canal of cochlea in the temporal bone of case 1.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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