Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomy
PurposeOtospongiotic plaques can be seen on conventional computed tomography (CT) as focal lesions around the cochlea. However, the resolution remains insufficient to enable evaluation of intracochlear damage. MicroCT technology provides resolution at the single micron level, offering an exceptional...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Radiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fradi.2022.965474/full |
| _version_ | 1811220964820647936 |
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| author | Gabriela O'Toole Bom Braga Robert Zboray Annapaola Parrilli Milica Bulatović Marco Domenico Caversaccio Franca Wagner |
| author_facet | Gabriela O'Toole Bom Braga Robert Zboray Annapaola Parrilli Milica Bulatović Marco Domenico Caversaccio Franca Wagner |
| author_sort | Gabriela O'Toole Bom Braga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PurposeOtospongiotic plaques can be seen on conventional computed tomography (CT) as focal lesions around the cochlea. However, the resolution remains insufficient to enable evaluation of intracochlear damage. MicroCT technology provides resolution at the single micron level, offering an exceptional amplified view of the otosclerotic cochlea. In this study, a non-decalcified otosclerotic cochlea was analyzed and reconstructed in three dimensions for the first time, using microCT technology. The pre-clinical relevance of this study is the demonstration of extensive pro-inflammatory buildup inside the cochlea which cannot be seen with conventional cone-beam CT (CBCT) investigation.Materials and MethodsA radiological and a three-dimensional (3D) anatomical study of an otosclerotic cochlea using microCT technology is presented here for the first time. 3D-segmentation of the human cochlea was performed, providing an unprecedented view of the diseased area without the need for decalcification, sectioning, or staining.ResultsUsing microCT at single micron resolution and geometric reconstructions, it was possible to visualize the disease's effects. These included intensive tissue remodeling and highly vascularized areas with dilated capillaries around the spongiotic foci seen on the pericochlear bone. The cochlea's architecture as a morphological correlate of the otosclerosis was also seen. With a sagittal cut of the 3D mesh, it was possible to visualize intense ossification of the cochlear apex, as well as the internal auditory canal, the modiolus, the spiral ligament, and a large cochleolith over the osseous spiral lamina. In addition, the oval and round windows showed intense fibrotic tissue formation and spongiotic bone with increased vascularization. Given the recently described importance of the osseous spiral lamina in hearing mechanics and that, clinically, one of the signs of otosclerosis is the Carhart notch observed on the audiogram, a tonotopic map using the osseous spiral lamina as region of interest is presented. An additional quantitative study of the porosity and width of the osseous spiral lamina is reported.ConclusionIn this study, structural anatomical alterations of the otosclerotic cochlea were visualized in 3D for the first time. MicroCT suggested that even though the disease may not appear to be advanced in standard clinical CT scans, intense tissue remodeling is already ongoing inside the cochlea. That knowledge will have a great impact on further treatment of patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:51:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-030494328dc248d4a2110ad07104c78d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-8740 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:51:49Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Radiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-030494328dc248d4a2110ad07104c78d2022-12-22T03:41:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Radiology2673-87402022-08-01210.3389/fradi.2022.965474965474Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomyGabriela O'Toole Bom Braga0Robert Zboray1Annapaola Parrilli2Milica Bulatović3Marco Domenico Caversaccio4Franca Wagner5ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandCenter for X-ray Analytics, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf, SwitzerlandCenter for X-ray Analytics, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf, SwitzerlandARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandPurposeOtospongiotic plaques can be seen on conventional computed tomography (CT) as focal lesions around the cochlea. However, the resolution remains insufficient to enable evaluation of intracochlear damage. MicroCT technology provides resolution at the single micron level, offering an exceptional amplified view of the otosclerotic cochlea. In this study, a non-decalcified otosclerotic cochlea was analyzed and reconstructed in three dimensions for the first time, using microCT technology. The pre-clinical relevance of this study is the demonstration of extensive pro-inflammatory buildup inside the cochlea which cannot be seen with conventional cone-beam CT (CBCT) investigation.Materials and MethodsA radiological and a three-dimensional (3D) anatomical study of an otosclerotic cochlea using microCT technology is presented here for the first time. 3D-segmentation of the human cochlea was performed, providing an unprecedented view of the diseased area without the need for decalcification, sectioning, or staining.ResultsUsing microCT at single micron resolution and geometric reconstructions, it was possible to visualize the disease's effects. These included intensive tissue remodeling and highly vascularized areas with dilated capillaries around the spongiotic foci seen on the pericochlear bone. The cochlea's architecture as a morphological correlate of the otosclerosis was also seen. With a sagittal cut of the 3D mesh, it was possible to visualize intense ossification of the cochlear apex, as well as the internal auditory canal, the modiolus, the spiral ligament, and a large cochleolith over the osseous spiral lamina. In addition, the oval and round windows showed intense fibrotic tissue formation and spongiotic bone with increased vascularization. Given the recently described importance of the osseous spiral lamina in hearing mechanics and that, clinically, one of the signs of otosclerosis is the Carhart notch observed on the audiogram, a tonotopic map using the osseous spiral lamina as region of interest is presented. An additional quantitative study of the porosity and width of the osseous spiral lamina is reported.ConclusionIn this study, structural anatomical alterations of the otosclerotic cochlea were visualized in 3D for the first time. MicroCT suggested that even though the disease may not appear to be advanced in standard clinical CT scans, intense tissue remodeling is already ongoing inside the cochlea. That knowledge will have a great impact on further treatment of patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fradi.2022.965474/fullotosclerosismicroCT3D anatomical studycochleatonotopic mappingporosity analysis |
| spellingShingle | Gabriela O'Toole Bom Braga Robert Zboray Annapaola Parrilli Milica Bulatović Marco Domenico Caversaccio Franca Wagner Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomy Frontiers in Radiology otosclerosis microCT 3D anatomical study cochlea tonotopic mapping porosity analysis |
| title | Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomy |
| title_full | Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomy |
| title_fullStr | Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomy |
| title_short | Otosclerosis under microCT: New insights into the disease and its anatomy |
| title_sort | otosclerosis under microct new insights into the disease and its anatomy |
| topic | otosclerosis microCT 3D anatomical study cochlea tonotopic mapping porosity analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fradi.2022.965474/full |
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