S. Mohebbi
J. D. Diaz
M. P. Kühnel
M. Durisin
T. Rau
M. Mirsalehi
T. Ripken
H. Meyer
T. Lenarz
O. Majdani

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Guided Inner Ear Decalcification, Fast and Safe Method

Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik
S1
59
S564-S567
2014
Type: Zeitschriftenaufsatz (reviewed)
Abstract
Introduction: The labyrinth organ shelters the sensory systems for hearing and balance. It consists of membranous, soft tissue organelles, covered by a bone shell. The intactness of the intracochlear structure in different diseases and during cochlear implantation is of high interest in the development of new treatment methods and cochlear implant electrodes for residual hearing preservation by cochlear implant surgery. Different histological and imaging systems have been described for the evaluation of the labyrinth organ. For best visualization of the intracochlear membranous fine structures, a decalcification of the labyrinth organ is required. Chemical decalcification is a long lasting process. However, combined chemical and mechanical treatment can accelerate this process, but endangers the membranous structure integrity as e. g. by reshaping the bone. Using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - a high resolution, noninvasive, noncontact imaging technology based on laser-application – the safety of the fast combined chemico-mechanical decalcification can be enhanced. Aim: We utilized OCT as a supportive tool for qualitative analysis during the decalcification process of the labyrinth organ. Material and Method: Four explanted cadaveric human temporal bones were decalcified by softening the bone in decalcifying medium using OCT as guidance. Result: The labyrinth bones were fully decalcified within 7 hours. In summary the study has shown that OCT is a valuable technology for navigation to decalcify the temporal bone safely without inner ear destruction.