[3-D morphological study of the temporal bone].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the 3-D(three-dimensional) morphological study of the temporal bone by means of computer graphic techniques.


METHODS
The serial sections of the temporal bone were processed by the technique of computer-aided 3-D reconstruction. The 3-D images of the multi-structures in the temporal bone were displayed on the monitor. The 3-D parameters of these structures were measured by a special software. The stereo-images of the structures in the temporal bone were obtained by stereoscopy and stereo-pairs.


RESULTS
Most structures of the temporal bone were reconstructed in 37 instances for the different purpose of study. Each set of the stereo-pair corresponding to the structures in the temporal bones and many 3-D parameters were obtained. The complex spatial relationship among the reconstructed structures such as the facial nerve, endolymphatic sac, posterior tympanum and posterior ampullary nerve was revealed and the mechanic model of the ossicular chain was set up. According to these results, the surgical approach of the posterior ampullary nerve transection was designed and simulated on the graphic computer.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique of computer-aided 3-D reconstruction provides a new tool for the study of the temporal bone. It is also helpful for the designs and simulations of the surgical approaches. The results of this study contribute to developmout of a new branch of pathology of the temporal bone and a primary 3-D morphological study of the temporal bone.
Jiang
S
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing.
Dai
P
P
Liu
Y
Y
D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*