3D computerized model of endolymphatic hydrops from specimens of temporal bone.

Conclusion: The 3D models of endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces enabled us to obtain normal and pathological volumes of each space and helped us to understand the 3D structure of various parts of the inner ear and of endolymphatic hydrops.

Objective: To make a 3D model of the inner ear using sections of temporal bone with and without hydrops.

Materials and methods: Every 10th 20 microm thick section of temporal bone was collected from two ears with endolymphatic hydrops and five ears without hydrops. Using ZedView, 3D Doctor, FreeForm as analytical software, a 3D model of the inner ear was obtained by reconstruction of these sections. The volumes of the endolymphatic (EV) and perilymphatic spaces (PV) were calculated in each part of the cochlea and vestibular apparatus including the semicircular canals, but the endolymphatic duct and sac were not included.

Results: In normal ears (controls), the average cochlear EV was 5.1 microl and the PV was 41.9 microl, and the average vestibular EV was 24.0 microl and the PV 75.7 microl. In one hydropic ear, the cochlear EV was 17.5 microl, cochlear PV 30.7 microl, vestibular EV 42.5 microl, and vestibular PV 33.4 microl. In the other hydropic ear, cochlear EV was 31.2 microl, cochlear PV 30.1 microl, vestibular EV 25.6 microl, and vestibular PV 71.8 microl.