[Quantitative positioning of facial nerve based on three-dimensional CT image reconstruction of temporal bone].

OBJECTIVE

To explore a set of quantitative methods to determine the position of the facial nerve based on three-dimensional CT reconstruction of temporal bone structures on personal computer, which can provide a series of important parameters for ear and the lateral skull base surgery.

METHOD

The internal structures of temporal bone were reconstructed based on a set of axial CT images of adult patients, the complicated relationship and their morphologic characteristics were clearly presented by using Able Software 3D-DOCTOR. The precise measurement of some parameters between facial nerve and its adjacent structures could easily be processed with the software. Based on all obtained data, the relationship of facial nerve and its adjacent structures were effectively summarized and analyzed.

RESULT

Three-dimensional images, including the facial nerve, tympanic anulus, auditory ossicles, chochleariform process, pyramidal eminence, internal auditory, the cochlea, semicircular canal, jugular fossa and carotid artery in the temporal bone, were reconstructed. Some parameters obtained from measuring the distance or angle between the facial nerve and its adjacent structures in the three-dimensional models had some extent regularity, which were benefit to design surgical approach and determine the position of facial nerve during relevant operation.

CONCLUSION

CT 3D reconstruction can accurately display the detailed internal structures anatomy of the temporal bone and their quantitative spatial relationships.