title: Anatomic measurements of the posterior tympanum related to the round window vibroplasty in congenital aural atresia and stenosis patients.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  With the aggravation of the external auditory canal malformation, the size of extra-niche fossa became smaller, providing concrete data and valuable information for the better design, selecting and safer implantation of the transducer in the area of round window niche. Three-dimensional measurements and assessments before surgery might be helpful for a safer surgical approach and implantation of a vibrant soundbridge.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences exist in the morphology of the posterior tympanum related to the round window vibroplasty among congenital aural atresia (CAA), congenital aural stenosis (CAS), and a normal control group, and to analyze its effect on the round window implantation of vibrant soundbridge.
  
  
  METHODS
  CT images of 10 normal subjects (20 ears), 27 CAS patients (30 ears), and 25 CAA patients (30 ears) were analyzed. The depth and the size of outside fossa of round window niche related to the round window vibroplasty (extra-niche fossa)and the distances between the center of round window niche and extra-niche fossa were calculated based on three-dimensional reconstruction using mimics software. Finally, the data were analyzed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The size of extra-niche fossa in the atresia group was smaller than in the stenosis group (p < 0.05); furthermore, the size of extra-niche fossa in the stenosis group was smaller than that of the control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference of the depth of extra-niche fossa among different groups.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery , Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , PR China ;
authors.forename: Keguang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery , Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , PR China ;
authors.forename: Dongming
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery , Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , PR China ;
authors.forename: Huiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lyu
authors.affiliation: b Hearing Medicine Key Laboratory , National Ministry of Public Health, Research Center, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , PR China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery , Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , PR China ;
authors.forename: Tianyu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: b Hearing Medicine Key Laboratory , National Ministry of Public Health, Research Center, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , PR China.
authors.forename: Peidong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D004423:Ear / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Round window; congenital aural atresia; congenital aural stenosis; floating mass transducer; round window vibroplasty