The infracochlear cell tract, an anatomical and radiological study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The aim was to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the radiological and surgical anatomy of the infracochlear tunnel in a sample of the study population. Methods The study included 50 surgical patients, referred to as 82 ears assessed as radiography group. Results Infracochlear tunnel (ICT) was detected in 50% (66/132) of the total study population. We found no statistically significant difference in the presence of infracochlear tunnel (ICT) based upon the sex of the patient or laterality. Radiologically, type 1 represented 56.10%, type 2 represented 29.27%, type 3 represented (7.32%) and type 4 represented (7.32%). The vertical diameter was found to be statistically significantly larger than the AP diameter in all the groups. The study also revealed that the diameter was statistically significantly higher in radiography compared to the surgical one. Conclusion Half of the study population have an infracochlear cell tract which is statistically significantly bigger in its vertical plane than the anteroposterior plane. The lateral aperture can be identified microscopically, and the entire tract is best studied radiologically for its width, height, depth and relation to the petrous apex.