title: The cochlea in fetuses with neural tube defects.
abstract: In this study different malformations of the cochlea could be demonstrated. Nevertheless, we could not delineate a distinct malformation of the inner ear, that can be linked to a neural tube defect. Neural tube defects are a frequent and heterogeneous group of malformations, ranging from the survivable spina bifida to fatal anencephaly. In multiple animal models an involvement of the vestibulocochlear system has been demonstrated. In this article human fetal temporal bones of neural tube defects were analysed in a multimodular work-up. The morphologic study was performed with light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron radiation-based microcomputed tomography. Immunohistochemistry for different neuronal markers such as peripherin, beta-III-tubulin and vimentin helped to evaluate ontogenetic tissue development. Eight fetal temporal bones with neural tube defects and five control temporal bones were included into the morphologic study. The morphologic results of the neural tube defect temporal bones showed six regularly developed cochleas and two with only a single cochlear turn. Three of the neural tube defect temporal bones were further examined with immunohistochemical analysis. No differences in the staining pattern for peripherin, beta-III-tubulin and vimentin were detected.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Innsbruck Medical University, A 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Joachim.Schmutzhard@i-med.ac.at
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Schmutzhard
authors: Rudolf
authors: R
authors: Glueckert
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Bitsche
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Abraham
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Falkeis
authors: Ilona
authors: I
authors: Schwentner
authors: Herbert
authors: H
authors: Riechelmann
authors: Bert
authors: B
authors: Müller
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Beckmann
authors: Consolato
authors: C
authors: Sergi
authors: Annelies
authors: A
authors: Schrott-Fischer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000473:pathology*; D064531:Peripherins; D011247:Pregnancy; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C578994:PRPH protein, human; D064531:Peripherins; C498585:TUBB3 protein, human; D014404:Tubulin; D014746:Vimentin