The External Opening of the Cochlear Aqueduct in Infants and Adults

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study is the description of the shape and area of the cochlear aqueduct (CA) opening by means of molds obtained from infant and adult temporal bones. Material and Methods: Through molding techniques the evaluation was performed in 118 temporal bones of infants (5–60 months) and of adults (19–89 years), dimensions and shapes being evaluated through computerized image processing. Results and Conclusions: The data shows that the area of the opening is significantly smaller in children than in adults (7.32 ± 3.32 versus 18.48 ± 6.42 mm²). In infants, in 56% the shape of the opening was triangular; in adults triangularity was 100%. The variability in the shape and size of the CA opening in infants suggests adaptations of the CA opening during cranial growth.

A System for the Determination of Image Density and Morphometry Developed for the Analysis of Malignant Nuclei

“…The algorithms described above were applied to the morphologic analyses of microscopic images [5][6][7][8][9]12,13]. More than 10000 images were collected and analyzed, forming an extensive database that will be used for consultations.…”

“…Later we adapted this system for the study of morphology of photographic images obtained by video [8] and tomography of X-rays [9].…”