Visualization of spiral ganglion neurites within the scala tympani with a cochlear implant in situ.
Current cochlear histology methods do not allow in situ processing of cochlear implants. The metal components of the implant preclude standard embedding and mid-modiolar sectioning, and whole mounts do not have the spatial resolution needed to view the implant within the scala tympani. One focus of recent auditory research is the regeneration of structures within the cochlea, particularly the ganglion cells and their processes, and there are multiple potential benefits to cochlear implant users from this work. To facilitate experimental investigations of auditory nerve regeneration performed in conjunction with cochlear implantation, it is critical to visualize the cochlear tissue and the implant together to determine if the nerve has made contact with the implant. This paper presents a novel histological technique that enables simultaneous visualization of the in situ cochlear implant and neurofilament-labeled nerve processes within the scala tympani, and the spatial relationship between them.
Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Room 4605 Med Sci II, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5616, USA.
Jennifer A
JA
Chikar
Shelley A
SA
Batts
Bryan E
BE
Pfingst
Yehoash
Y
Raphael
D000818:Animals; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012533:Scala Tympani / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013136:Spiral Ganglion / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate