Anatomical characteristics of the human cochlea in Bahrain.

Abstract

Background: Cochlear duct length (CDL) varies between individuals and influences cochlear implant (CI) electrode selection, making proper preoperative measurement an important step for optimizing CI outcomes.

Objectives: To measure and report CDL and the cochlear parameters in subjects who underwent temporal bone CT scan in Bahrain.

Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated temporal bone CT scans obtained between 2010 and 2022 at Governmental Hospitals in Bahrain. One hundred subjects (200 ears) were consecutively selected from the hospital database as DICOM files. Scans with inadequate image quality or absence of thin-section imaging, and those with congenital or acquired temporal bone pathologies were excluded. CDL and main cochlear parameters were measured using OTOPLAN software.

Results: Of the 200 ears analyzed, 142 met the inclusion criteria. Mean CDL was 34.8 ± 1.7 mm. Males showed significantly larger cochlear measurements than females, whereas no significant differences were observed between pediatric and adult subjects or between right and left ears.

Conclusions and significance: CDL varies significantly by gender but not by age or side. Differences were also observed between the Bahraini population and certain other geographic populations, highlighting the importance of individualized preoperative CDL measurement to optimize electrode array selection and CI outcomes.