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Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol
Published on: August 18, 2023
Bony cochlear nerve canal and internal auditory canal measures predict cochlear nerve status
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Hacettepe University,Ankara,Turkey.
Anomalies in the bony cochlear nerve canal and internal auditory canal are linked to cochlear nerve issues. Imaging both structures is crucial for assessing cochlear nerve status in hearing loss patients.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The bony cochlear nerve canal (BCNC) transmits cochlear nerve fibers, connecting the internal auditory canal (IAC) to the cochlear modiolus.
- Anomalies in the BCNC and IAC can lead to sensorineural hearing loss due to cochlear nerve abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of bony labyrinth and cochlear nerve anomalies in patients with BCNC and IAC atresia/stenosis.
- To correlate BCNC and IAC diameters with cochlear nerve status.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of temporal bone CT and MRI scans in 38 sensorineural hearing loss patients (59 ears) with BCNC diameter ≤1.5 mm.
- Defined stenotic IAC as <2 mm diameter; examined atretic/stenotic BCNCs separately.
Main Results:
- Cochlear hypoplasia occurred in 75% of ears with BCNC diameter ≤1.5 mm.
- BCNC stenosis was associated with IAC stenosis (33%) and cochlear nerve hypoplasia/aplasia (84%).
- BCNC atresia invariably resulted in cochlear nerve deficiency; BCNC <1.5 mm and IAC <2 mm correlated with hypoplastic/aplastic cochlear nerves.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear nerve aplasia/hypoplasia can occur despite normal-appearing cochleae on CT.
- Both CT and MRI are recommended for pre-cochlear implant evaluation.
- Assessing both BCNC and IAC is essential for determining cochlear nerve status.
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