Three-Dimensional Modelling of the Middle-Ear Ossicular Chain Using a Commercial High-Resolution X-Ray CT Scanner

Decraemer, Willem F.; Dirckx, Joris J.J.; Funnell, W. Robert J.

doi:10.1007/s10162-002-3030-x

Cited by 57 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…To formulate an accurate biomechanical model, individual anatomy may be important, which requires a fast and non-destructive method. This work shows that micro-CT imaging, which is known to be a suitable method for high-density tissue such as the ossicles and surrounding bone (Decraemer et al 2003;Lane et al 2004;Sim et al 2006;Puria et al 2007a), can also be used to image the soft tissues of the malleus-incus complex (Figs. 3 and 4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Soft Tissue Morphometry of the Malleus–Incus Complex from Micro-CT Imaging

Sim

Puria

2008

JARO

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The malleus-incus complex (MIC) is unique to mammalian hearing. To develop a comprehensive biomechanical MIC model for the human middle ear, measurements regarding its anatomical features are a necessity. Micro-scale X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging, which is known to be a suitable method for imaging high-density tissue such as middle-ear ossicles and surrounding bones, is used in this study to determine the three-dimensional (3-D) morphometry of the soft tissue attachments of the MIC. The MIC morphometry is based on their 3-D reconstruction from micro-CT image slices with resolutions ranging from 10 to 20 mm. The suspensory ligament and tendon attachments of the malleus and the incus as well as the incudomalleal joint (IMJ), are quantified in terms of dimensions, positions, and orientations for four human cadaver temporal bones. The malleus principal frame, the incus principal frame, and the MIC principle frame are calculated and the morphometry is reported in relation to each of these frames for the first time. The resulting values show significant variation across ear samples, suggesting that models of the MIC should be based on individual anatomy. The IMJ morphometry dimensions appear to be proportional to the ossicular mass. The micro-CT imaging modality is a nondestructive and relatively fast method for obtaining soft tissue morphometry and provides accurate anatomical features in relation to the principal axes of bones.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Soft Tissue Morphometry of the Malleus–Incus Complex from Micro-CT Imaging

Sim

Puria

2008

JARO

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“…In previous CT-based studies of the ME, the following model resolutions were reported: 5.5 μm on gerbil (Elkhouri et al 2006), 6 μm on human (Hagr et al 2004), 10 μm on cat (Decraemer et al 2003), and 10 μm on human (Vogel 1999). Though these numbers are comparable to our isometric 8.5-μm voxel size for μCT on gerbil bone, our data and models are of much higher quality than those shown in previous work.…”

Section: Resolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Realistic 3D Computer Model of the Gerbil Middle Ear, Featuring Accurate Morphology of Bone and Soft Tissue Structures

Buytaert

Salih

Dierick

et al. 2011

JARO

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In order to improve realism in middle ear (ME) finiteelement modeling (FEM), comprehensive and precise morphological data are needed. To date, micro-scale X-ray computed tomography (μCT) recordings have been used as geometric input data for FEM models of the ME ossicles. Previously, attempts were made to obtain these data on ME soft tissue structures as well. However, due to low X-ray absorption of soft tissue, quality of these images is limited. Another popular approach is using histological sections as data for 3D models, delivering high in-plane resolution for the sections, but the technique is destructive in nature and registration of the sections is difficult. We combine data from high-resolution μCT recordings with data from high-resolution orthogonal-plane fluorescence opticalsectioning microscopy (OPFOS), both obtained on the same gerbil specimen. State-of-the-art μCT delivers high-resolution data on the 3D shape of ossicles and other ME bony structures, while the OPFOS setup generates data of unprecedented quality both on bone and soft tissue ME structures. Each of these techniques is tomographic and non-destructive and delivers sets of automatically aligned virtual sections. The datasets coming from different techniques need to be registered with respect to each other. By combining both datasets, we obtain a complete high-resolution morphological model of all functional components in the gerbil ME. The resulting 3D model can be readily imported in FEM software and is made freely available to the research community. In this paper, we discuss the methods used, present the resulting merged model, and discuss the morphological properties of the soft tissue structures, such as muscles and ligaments.

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“…Morphometric and volumetric characteristics of the parts of the human body are of great importance in the designing and manufacturing of their anatomical models and also in the interpretation and presentation of experimental results [16]. These models enable students, researchers and surgeons to better understand complex structures and facilitate diagnosis and treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%