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New imaging visualizations of the posterior cranial base in rats via micro‐CT: Implications for uncovering anatomical correlates of age‐related hearing loss
Author(s) -
Yemin Avner Y,
Salinas Harry M,
Balboni Armand L,
Fritton J. Chris,
Reidenberg Joy S,
Bergemann Andrew D,
Schaffler Mitchell B,
Smouha Eric E,
Laitman Jeffrey T
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a142-c
Subject(s) - inner ear , high resolution , anatomy , medicine , geology , remote sensing
The posterior cranial base is a critical interface of soft and hard tissues whose development/aging significantly affects normal function and disease. Recent studies suggest that age changes in the petro‐occipital fissure (POF), including the cochlear canaliculus (CC), of rats and humans may correlate with the onset of age‐related hearing loss (AHL). These studies have, however, been limited to gross or 2‐D histologic visualizations which were neither able to asses fully the path of the CC, nor determine whether it communicates with the inner ear. This study uses advances in visualization technology afforded by micro Computed Tomography (micro‐CT) to attain high resolution, 3‐D images of the cranial base regions in rats (15.4 μm isotropic voxel size, 6hr scan). Results show micro‐CT can: 1) reconstruct the 3‐D bony morphology of the cranial base with a greater degree of accuracy than that afforded by other nondestructive imaging approaches (see figure, arrow = CC at POF); 2) allow visualization of the entire 3‐D path of the CC between the POF and the inner ear; and 3) determine 3‐D topographic and volumetric measurements. These findings indicate that the use of micro‐CT will be a valuable tool for assessing age‐related changes in the posterior cranial base, particularly the CC, and a potential relationship with AHL.