RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cochlear dimension measurements are critical in diagnosing and managing congenital sensorineural hearing loss. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of an automated landmark approach for measuring cochlear dimensions (A-, B- and H-values). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cochlear parameters from 100 patients were measured by MPR, manual three-dimensional and ALPACA. We assessed intra- and inter-observer reliability as well as inter-method reliability. Statistical analyses were conducted to detect differences between the right and left ears, as well as to assess the relevance of the values obtained using ALPACA. RESULTS: All A-, B-, and H-values measured by the various methods showed a high intra-observer reliability with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.70 to 0.99, and values gained by ALPACA reaching the highest ICC. Inter-method reliability was at a good level with ICC ranging from 0.51 to 0.86. There were no significant differences between the right and left ears' measured values. Obvious positive correlations existed among cochlear dimensions measured by ALPACA. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The ALPACA method can be used to measure cochlear dimensions. Values obtained by the method demonstrate high reliability and consistency with a significant reduction in intra-observer variability compared to results from conventional MPR and manual 3D measurements.
RESUMO
Objective:The cochlea of children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss with normal inner ear structure was measured and analyzed by high-resolution temporal bone CT(HRCT) imaging technique,its application value before cochlear implantation was evaluated and the appropriate electrode was selected.Method:We collected temporal bone HRCT images of 120 patients with congenital sensorineural hearing loss,according to gender divided into two groups,including 60 males and 60 females.We used the PACS software to measure the distance A(the largest distance from the round window to the lateral wall) and the distance H(height of the cochlea) and calculate the cochlear duct length. Reproducibility of these data were evaluated and the results between the different groups were compared.Result:Measurement of parameter values between the intraobserver and interobserver showed great reproducibility. In the male children group,the measured values are shown as distance Aï¼»(8.55±0.31)mmï¼½,distance Hï¼»(4.57±0.28)mmï¼½and the cochlear duct length(CDL)ï¼»(27.59±1.23)mmï¼½; and in the female children group, the measured values are shown as distance Aï¼»(8.45±0.32)mmï¼½,distance Hï¼»(4.42±0.34)mmï¼½and the cochlear duct length(CDL)ï¼»(27.20±1.17)mm.The A,H,and CDL of the male cochlea were greater than those of the female, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Measuring the distance A and distance H of the cochlea and calculating the cochlear duct length CDL can be used to select a suitable length of electrode or to customize a personalized electrode. This is a simple and effective assessment method before cochlear implantation..