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Locating the scala media in the fixed human temporal bone for therapeutic access: a preliminary study
1Ellison-Cliffe Fellowship, Royal Society of Medicine, London, UK. henry.pau@clara.co.uk
Objective:
To investigate the location of the scala media in relation to the round window niche in human temporal bones.
Design:
Ten human temporal bones were investigated by radical mastoidectomy and promontory drill-out.
Setting:
Temporal bone laboratory.
Outcome Measures:
The distance from the scala media to the anterior edge of the round window niche, measured by Fisch's stapedectomy measuring cylinders.
Results:
The scala media was identified at the transection point of a vertical line 1.6 to 2.2 mm (mean=1.8 mm; standard deviation=0.2) anterior to the anterior edge of the round window niche and a horizontal line 0.2 mm inferior to the lower border of the oval window.
Conclusion:
This report demonstrates the point of entry into the scala media via the promontory in fixed temporal bone models, which may provide a site of entry for stem cells and gene therapy insertion.
