title: Curvature measurement of human bilateral cochleae.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to characterise the geometry of the human bilateral spiral cochlea by measuring curvature and length.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight subjects were recruited in this study. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to visualise the right and left cochlea. Visualisation of the cochlear spiral was enhanced by T2 weighting and further processing of the raw images. The spirals were divided into three segments: the basal turn, the middle turn and the apex turn. The length and curvature of each segment were non-invasively measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean left and right cochlear lengths were 3.11 cm and 3.95 cm, respectively. The measured lengths of the cochlear spiral are consistent with data in the literature derived from anatomical dissections. Overall, the apex turn segment of the cochlea had the greatest degree of curvature (p < 0.05). The mean apex turn segment curvatures for left and right cochleae were 9.65 cm(-1) and 10.09 cm(-1), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A detailed description of the cochlear spiral is provided, using measurements of curvature and length. These data will provide a valuable reference in the development of cochlear implantation procedures for minimising the potential damage during implantation.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics,Chang Gung University,Taoyuan,Taiwan.
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Taiouan Interdisciplinary Otolaryngology Laboratory,Chang Gung University,Taoyuan,Taiwan.
authors.forename: K-C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention,Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou,Institute for Radiological Research,College of Medicine,Chang Gung University,Taoyuan,Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou,Taoyuan,Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D012016:Reference Values
keywords: Cochlea; Computer-Assisted; Ear; Image Processing; Magnetic Resonance Imaging