Incomplete Partition Type II Cochlear Malformations: Delineating the Three-Dimensional Structure from Digitized Human Histopathological Specimens

HypothesisThere are clinically relevant differences in scalae anatomy and spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) quantity between incomplete partition type II (IP-II) and normal cochleae.BackgroundIP-II is a commonly implanted cochlear malformation. Detailed knowledge of intracochlear three-dimensional (3D) morphology may assist with cochlear implant (CI) electrode selection/design and enable optimization of audiologic programming based on SGN maps.MethodsIP-II (n = 11) human temporal bone histological specimens were identified from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Temporal Bone Registry and digitized. The cochlear duct, scalae, and surgically relevant anatomy were reconstructed in 3D. A machine learning algorithm was applied to map the location and number of SGNs.Results3D scalae morphology of the basal turn was normal. Scala tympani (ST) remained isolated for 540 degrees before fusing with scala vestibuli. Mean ST volume reduced below 1 mm2 after the first 340 degrees. Scala media was a distinct endolymphatic compartment throughout; mean & PLUSMN; standard deviation cochlear duct length was 28 & PLUSMN; 3 mm. SGNs were reduced compared with age-matched norms (mean, 48%; range, 5-90%). In some cases, SGNs failed to ascend Rosenthal's canal, remaining in an abnormal basalward modiolar location. Two forms of IP-II were seen: type A and type B. A majority (98-100%) of SGNs were located in the basal modiolus in type B IP-II, compared with 76 to 85% in type A.ConclusionHallmark features of IP-II cochleae include the following: 1) fusion of the ST and scala vestibuli at a mean of 540 degrees, 2) highly variable and overall reduced SGN quantity compared with normative controls, and 3) abnormal SGN distribution with cell bodies failing to ascend Rosenthal's canal.