A morphometric study of the structures bordering the infra-cochlear corridor - Relevant for endoscopic/microscopic...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Anatomy

Background:

• Endoscopic ear surgery offers improved access and disease clearance for temporal bone conditions.
• Increasing use of endoscopic tools necessitates a deeper understanding of ear anatomy, particularly for infra-cochlear corridor and petrous apex surgery.
• Lesions like cholesterol granuloma and cholesteatoma are common in the petrous apex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To morphometrically analyze the infra-cochlear corridor using human temporal bone labyrinth casts.
• To define the anatomical relationships relevant to endoscopic access to the petrous apex.
• To provide data aiding surgical navigation through the infra-cochlear corridor.

Main Methods:

• Morphometric analysis of human temporal bone-derived labyrinth casts.
• Measurement of distances between the petrous carotid artery, basal cochlear turn, infra-cochlear vein/cochlear aqueduct, and jugular vein.
• Characterization of the infra-cochlear corridor dimensions.

Main Results:

• The infra-cochlear corridor was defined with approximate dimensions of 6x8 mm².
• Key distances measured: petrous carotid artery to basal cochlea (1.3 mm), PCA to ICV/CA (6 mm), and basal cochlear turn to carotid-jugular junction (8 mm).

Conclusions:

• The defined infra-cochlear corridor dimensions are crucial for endoscopic surgical planning.
• Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.
• This anatomical data can enhance surgical safety and efficacy for petrous apex pathologies.