Optical coherence tomography of the oval window niche.

OBJECTIVE

Optical coherence tomography was used to study the stapes footplate, both in cadaveric temporal bones and during middle-ear surgery.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Optical coherence tomography was conducted on five temporal bone preparations (from two children and three adults) and in eight patients during middle-ear surgery. A specially equipped operating microscope with integrated spectral domain optical coherence tomography apparatus was used for standard middle-ear surgical procedures.

RESULTS

This optical coherence tomography investigation enabled in vivo visualisation and documentation of the annular ligament, the different layers of the footplate and the inner-ear structures, both in non-fixed and fixed stapes footplates. In cases of otosclerosis and tympanosclerosis, an inhomogeneous and irregularly thickened footplate was found, in contrast to the appearance of non-fixed footplates. In both fixed and non-fixed footplates, there was a lack of visualisation of the border between the footplate and the otic capsule.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation of the relatively new technology of optical coherence tomography indicated that this imaging modality may assist the ear surgeon to assess the oval window niche intra-operatively.