Feasibility of micro-computed tomography for evaluating anatomical landmarks in temporal bone specimens

Photon counting computed tomography (PCCT) provides exceptional image quality with reduced radiation dose in temporal bone imaging and is emerging as a potential new gold standard. This study aims to assess the feasibility of an in-house micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system equipped with Photon Counting Detector (PCD) technology and to compare it with a clinical PCCT scanner for temporal bone evaluation. A fresh-frozen temporal bone specimen was scanned with both systems, focusing on four anatomical landmarks: stapes, lateral semicircular canal, tympanic segment of the facial nerve canal, and modiolus. Two radiologists assessed the landmarks, using clinical PCCT images as the reference. The in-house micro-CT achieved a high resolution of 32.5 μm, enabling excellent visualization of the landmarks. These results demonstrate that the PCD micro-CT system is a feasible and valuable tool, offering important insights into the complex structures of the middle and inner ear for advancing both clinical and research applications.