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Axial and Coronal Cochlear Aperture Measurements and their relationship with Internal Auditory Canal and Cochlear
Audiology & Neuro-Otology
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Abnormalities in cochlear aperture size are linked to cochlear nerve deficiency and aplasia. Specific measurements below 1.26 mm axially and 1.30 mm coronally indicate a high risk of cochlear nerve aplasia.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The normative values for cochlear aperture (1.2-1.9 mm) show wide variation, complicating the assessment of its relationship with the internal auditory canal and cochlear nerve.
- Inner ear malformations, including cochlear aperture abnormalities, can be associated with cochlear nerve deficiency or aplasia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cochlear aperture dimensions and cochlear nerve status in various inner ear malformations.
- To establish potential diagnostic thresholds for cochlear nerve aplasia based on cochlear aperture measurements.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1241 ears with inner ear malformations (incomplete partitions, cochlear hypoplasia, cochlear aperture abnormalities) and 158 normal ears (control group).
- Measurement of cochlear aperture on axial and coronal sections, and internal acoustic canal at its midpoint.
- Grading of cochlear nerve status (normal, mild hypoplasia, hardly visible, aplastic).
Main Results:
- Cochlear nerve hypoplasia and aplasia were most common in cochlear hypoplasia and cochlear aperture abnormality groups.
- A strong, positive correlation was found between axial and coronal cochlear aperture measurements.
- Significant differences in cochlear aperture measurements existed across groups, with normal anatomy showing larger apertures than malformed ears.
Conclusions:
- A significant relationship exists between cochlear aperture measurements and cochlear nerve status.
- Axial measurements below 1.26 mm and coronal measurements below 1.30 mm suggest a high probability of cochlear nerve aplasia.
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