Anastasi, Giuseppe

Ciodaro, Francesco

Duca, Antonio

Freni, Francesco

Galletti, Bruno

Galletti, Francesco

Mannella, Valentina Katia

Milardi, Demetrio

Rizzo, Giuseppina

Firenze University Press: E-Journals

IJAE Vol. 115, n. 1/2 (Supplement), 2010
10
Volume rendering based on HRCT temporal bone in 
cochlear implant patients
Giuseppe Anastasi1, Demetrio Milardi1, Antonio Duca1, Francesco Ciodaro2, Valentina Katia Mannel-
la2, Bruno Galletti2, Francesco Freni2, Giuseppina Rizzo1, Francesco Galletti2
1 Department of Biomorphology and Biotechnologies, University of Messina, Italy
2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
Many people suffer hearing loss because they have damage to hair cells in the inner 
ear. A cochlear implant, often referred to as a bionic ear, is an electronic medical device 
that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make 
sounds louder, cochlear implants do the work of damaged cochlea to provide sound 
signals to the brain. If some hearing nerves still work, a cochlear implant can allow you 
to hear.
The basic parts of the device include some internal and external components. The 
external ones are: a microphone; a speech processor which selectively filters sound and 
sends the electrical sound signals to the transmitter, which is a coil held in position by a 
magnet placed behind the external ear, and transmits the processed sound signals to the 
internal device by electromagnetic induction. The internal part of a cochlear implant are 
composed by a receiver/stimulator, secured in bone beneath the skin, which converts 
the signals into electric impulses and sends them to an electrode array that, inserted 
through the cochlea, send the impulses to the auditory nerve. During cochlear implant 
surgery the surgeon drills through the mastoid bone to the inner ear. The electrode array 
is then inserted into the cochlea (scala thympani). The receiver/stimulator is secured to 
the skull.
Various imaging modalities are performed in pre and post operative evaluation of 
cochlear implant candidates. HRCT is recommended in all patients for pre implant anal-
ysis of the temporal bone morphology due to its reliability and easy availability. MRI is 
recommended in all cases of post meningitic deafness and in others with doubtful CT 
findings.
Post operative plain radiography (an oblique anti Stenver’s view) is done in all pa-
tients to determine optimum positioning of the electrode in the cochlea.
Volume rendering based on HRCT temporal bone, allow us to create a data set of 
images and animations visualizing the single structures of the human ear in three di-
mensions.
Post Operative volume rendering in cochlear implant can reveal normal or malposi-
tioned implant (receiver/stimulator, array). 
This method can be determinative in all cases with abnormal function of the cochlear 
implant system and in children to reveal eventually dislocations due to temporal bone 
growth. We think that the volume rendering can be the future in imaging in cochlear 
implants.


Volume rendering based on HRCT temporal bone in cochlear implant patients

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Volume rendering based on HRCT temporal bone in cochlear implant patients

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