Abstract
The oval window region has recently been identified as a potential route for drug diffusion into the inner ear. Locally applied gadolinium and trimethylphenylammonium (TMPA) have been shown to directly diffuse into the vestibule through the oval window region. Given the potential importance of the oval window region in the diffusion of substances into the inner ear, this work aimed to use micro-CT to obtain a data set of anatomical characteristics of the annular ligament of the stapes in the human temporal bone, a region thus far poorly studied. Twenty-one temporal bones were micro-dissected to preserve the otic capsule and allow perfusion of fixative stains into the inner ear. The specimens were scanned with micro-CT methods to provide 3D reconstructions and measurement. The 3D reconstructions were able to demonstrate an undisturbed stapes footplate and annular ligament from which measurements could be taken. This study found a wide variance in the volumes and thicknesses of the stapedial ligaments. There was a positive correlation between the size of the stapes footplate and the annular ligament.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
King EB, Salt AN, Eastwood HT, O’Leary SJ (2011) Direct entry of gadolinium into the vestibule following intratympanic applications in guinea pigs and the influence of cochlear implantation. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 12:741–751. doi:10.1007/s10162-011-0280-5
King EB, Salt AN, Kel GE, Eastwood HT, O’Leary SJ (2013) Gentamicin administration on the stapes footplate causes greater hearing loss and vestibulotoxicity than round window administration in guinea pigs. Hear Res 304:159–166. doi:10.1016/j.heares.2013.07.013
Peltonen LI, Aarnisalo AA, Kortesniemi MK, Suomalainen A, Jero J, Robinson S (2007) Limited cone-beam computed tomography imaging of the middle ear: a comparison with multislice helical computed tomography. Acta Radiol Stockh Swed 1987(48):207–212. doi:10.1080/02841850601080465
Salt AN, Ma Y (2001) Quantification of solute entry into cochlear perilymph through the round window membrane. Hear Res 154:88–97. doi:10.1016/s0378-5955(01)00223-4
Salt AN, Kellner C, Hale S (2003) Contamination of perilymph sampled from the basal cochlear turn with cerebrospinal fluid. Hear Res 182:24–33. doi:10.1016/s0378-5955(03)00137-0
Salt AN, King EB, Hartsock JJ, Gill RM, O’Leary SJ (2012) Marker entry into vestibular perilymph via the stapes following applications to the round window niche of guinea pigs. Hear Res 283:14–23. doi:10.1016/j.heares.2011.11.012
Sim JH, Röösli C, Chatzimichalis M, Eiber A, Huber AM (2013) Characterization of stapes anatomy: investigation of human and guinea pig. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 14:159–173. doi:10.1007/s10162-012-0369-5
Stachler RJ, Chandrasekhar SS, Archer SM, Rosenfeld RM, Schwartz SR, Barrs DM, Brown SR, Fife TD, Ford P, Ganiats TG, Hollingsworth DB, Lewandowski CA, Montano JJ, Saunders JE, Tucci DL, Valente M, Warren BE, Yaremchuk KL, Robertson PJ, American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (2012) Clinical practice guideline: sudden hearing loss. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Off J Am Acad Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 146:S1–S35. doi:10.1177/0194599812436449
Syed MI, Ilan O, Nassar J, Rutka JA (2015) Intratympanic therapy in Meniere’s syndrome or disease: up to date evidence for clinical practise. Clin Otolaryngol 40(6):682–690. doi:10.1111/coa.12449
Tanaka K, Motomura S (1981) Permeability of the labyrinthine windows in guinea pigs. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 233:67–75. doi:10.1007/bf00464276
Zou J, Pyykko I, Bjelke B, Dastidar P, Toppila E (2005) Communication between the perilymphatic scalae and spiral ligament visualized by in vivo MRI. Audiol Neurotol 10:145–152. doi:10.1159/000084024
Zou J, Poe D, Ramadan UA, Pyykko I (2012) Oval window transport of Gd-DOTA from rat middle ear to vestibulum and scala vestibuli visualized by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 121:119–128. doi:10.1177/000348941212100209
Acknowledgments
The study was performed without any financial grants. The authors do not have any industrial links and/or affiliations.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflicts of interest
The authors have no potential or actual conflicts of interest related to the research within this paper to declare.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mohammadi, A., Jufas, N., Sale, P. et al. Micro-CT analysis of the anatomical characteristics of the stapedial annular ligament. Anat Sci Int 92, 262–266 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-016-0331-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-016-0331-4