Stapes visualization by ultra-high resolution CT in cadaveric heads: A preliminary study. Issue 141 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Ruowei; Yin, Hongxia; Wang, Zheng; Zhang, Zhengyu; Zhao, Lei; Zhang, Peng; Li, Jing; Zhao, Pengfei; Lv, Han; Zhang, Li; Yang, Zhenghan; Wang, Zhenchang
• Is Part Of: European journal of radiology. Issue 141(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: CT computed tomography -- MSCT multislice CT -- U-HRCT ultra-high resolution CT -- CBCT cone-beam CT -- FOV field-of-view -- 3D three-dimensional -- MPR multiplanar reformation -- IQR interquartile range -- SD standard deviation -- ICC intraclass correlation coefficient -- TORP total ossicular replacement prosthesis -- MIP maximal intensity projection; Ultra-high resolution computed tomography -- Multislice computed tomography -- Ear ossicles -- Stapes -- Temporal bone; Medical radiology -- Periodicals; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiologie médicale -- Périodiques; Medical radiology; Periodicals; 616.075705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109786
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0720-048X

Abstract

Highlights: Ultra-high resolution CT (U-HRCT) is capable of stapes visualization. Quantitative linear measurement of the stapes by U-HRCT is beneficial to preoperative assessment from a surgical point of view. U-HRCT shows good to excellent interobserver agreement in image quality evaluation of the stapes. Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to assess stapes visualization using an ultra-high resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT). Method: Sixty ears from 30 cadaveric human heads were scanned by both U-HRCT and 128-section multislice CT (MSCT) with clinical parameters. Image quality of the stapes head, anterior and posterior crura, footplate, incudostapedial joint and stapedial muscle within the pyramidal eminence was scored using a 3-point Likert scale. Linear measurements of the stapes configuration were performed on U-HRCT. Results: The interobserver agreement for image qualitative score on U-HRCT was good to excellent (interobserver agreement coefficients 0.65−0.86). With the exception of the stapes head, U-HRCT achieved significantly higher qualitative scores than MSCT across all anatomical structures ( P s < 0.05). The total height of the stapes was measured to be 3.48 ± 0.33 mm. The height and width of the obturator foramen were 1.77 ± 0.28 mm and 2.19 ± 0.33 mm, respectively. The widths of the anterior and posterior crura were 0.20 ± 0.06 mm and 0.22 ± 0.06 mm, respectively. The thickness of the footplate was 0.22 ± 0.06 mm, and the angle of the incudostapedial joint was 95.91 ± 10.69°. Conclusions: U-HRCT is capable of delineating fine structures of the stapes and provides linear data on dimensions of the stapes, which could be helpful for detecting stapes disease and making individualized surgical plans in the clinical setting.