Validation of a Cochlear Implant Patient-Specific Model of the Voltage Distribution in a Clinical Setting.

Cochlear Implants (CIs) are medical implantable devices that can restore the sense of hearing in people with profound hearing loss. Clinical trials assessing speech intelligibility in CI users have found large intersubject variability. One possibility to explain the variability is the individual differences in the interface created between electrodes of the CI and the auditory nerve. In order to understand the variability, models of the voltage distribution of the electrically stimulated cochlea may be useful. With this purpose in mind, we developed a parametric model that can be adapted to each CI user based on landmarks from individual cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of the cochlea before and after implantation. The conductivity values of each cochlea compartment as well as the weighting factors of different grounding modes have also been parameterized. Simulations were performed modeling the cochlea and electrode positions of 12 CI users. Three models were compared with different levels of detail: a homogeneous model (HM), a non-patient-specific model (NPSM), and a patient-specific model (PSM). The model simulations were compared with voltage distribution measurements obtained from the backward telemetry of the 12 CI users. Results show that the PSM produces the lowest error when predicting individual voltage distributions. Given a patient-specific geometry and electrode positions, we show an example on how to optimize the parameters of the model and how to couple it to an auditory nerve model. The model here presented may help to understand speech performance variability and support the development of new sound coding strategies for CIs.

Cochlear length determination using Cone Beam Computed Tomography in a clinical setting.

Indications for cochlear implants are determined by audiological and medical considerations. Clinical imaging is therefore an integral element for anatomical evaluation in terms of medical considerations. Several authors have discussed the variability of cochlear shape, especially cochlear length. Cochlear length is, however, an increasingly recognized parameter in terms of preoperative evaluation. This study introduces a methodology to determine individual cochlear length in clinical setting by using Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Cochlear length determination was performed retrospectively with an OsiriX curved 3D Multiplanar Reconstruction tool on subjects who underwent temporal bone imaging from January 2011 to February 2013. Cochlear length was defined as the spiral route from the center-distal point of the bony round window along the lateral wall towards the helicotrema, which is the endpoint of the measurement. Cochlear length was measured in 436 temporal bones (218 left ears, 218 right ears, 218 subjects). The mean cochlear length was 37.6 mm (SD: ± 1.93 mm), median was 37.6 mm, range 32-43.5 mm. The cochlear length had a normal distribution. A significant difference was found between cochlear length by gender (p < .0001), but not between the left and right cochlea (p = .301) or according to age. Consideration of the cochlear length in clinical data may be an insufficiently represented parameter in cochlear implant treatment. Literature shows the impact of electrode insertion depth on residual hearing preservation and speech performance. Individual evaluation of the cochlear implant electrode choice may be the next step in personalized cochlear implant treatment as a valuable addition to existing audiological and surgical evaluation. The cochlear length determination methodology presented herein is a reproducible and clinically available parameter. Indeed, revealing a significant cochlear length span width, especially according to gender differences, may be assumed as hardly ignorable.

Outer ear canal infection with Rhabditis sp. nematodes in a human.

Here we report the first human case of an outer ear canal infection with a free-living nematode of the genus Rhabditis. Otomicroscopy revealed viable worms in the outer ear canal of a patient suffering from chronic otorrhea and hearing loss. The nematode was identified by microscopy and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-PCR.

Three-dimensional histological specimen preparation for accurate imaging and spatial reconstruction of the middle and inner ear.

PURPOSE: This paper presents a highly accurate cross-sectional preparation technique. The research aim was to develop an adequate imaging modality for both soft and bony tissue structures featuring high contrast and high resolution. Therefore, the advancement of an already existing micro-grinding procedure was pursued. The central objectives were to preserve spatial relations and to ensure the accurate three-dimensional reconstruction of histological sections. METHODS: Twelve human temporal bone specimens including middle and inner ear structures were utilized. They were embedded in epoxy resin, then dissected by serial grinding and finally digitalized. The actual abrasion of each grinding slice was measured using a tactile length gauge with an accuracy of one micrometre. The cross-sectional images were aligned with the aid of artificial markers and by applying a feature-based, custom-made auto-registration algorithm. To determine the accuracy of the overall reconstruction procedure, a well-known reference object was used for comparison. To ensure the compatibility of the histological data with conventional clinical image data, the image stacks were finally converted into the DICOM standard. RESULTS: The image fusion of data from temporal bone specimens' and from non-destructive flat-panel-based volume computed tomography confirmed the spatial accuracy achieved by the procedure, as did the evaluation using the reference object. CONCLUSION: This systematic and easy-to-follow preparation technique enables the three-dimensional (3D) histological reconstruction of complex soft and bony tissue structures. It facilitates the creation of detailed and spatially correct 3D anatomical models. Such models are of great benefit for image-based segmentation and planning in the field of computer-assisted surgery as well as in finite element analysis. In the context of human inner ear surgery, three-dimensional histology will improve the experimental evaluation and determination of intra-cochlear trauma after the insertion of an electrode array of a cochlear implant system.