Virtual temporal bone

Objective:To provide the virtual model of the temporal bone for improving 3-dimension (3D) visualization of the inner ear. Methods: Plastination technique was used to make equidistant serial thin sections 1.0 mm in thickness. On SGI workstation, a Contours+Marching Cubes algorithm was selected to reconstruct the temporal bone and intratemporal structures in 3D, then to view the middle ear, inner ear, and intratemporal structures which imitate the scenes observed by the traditional endoscopy. Results: The virtual model of the temporal bone was successfully constructed, with all reconstructed structures being represented individually or jointly and being rotated continuously in any plane. Virtual endoscopy improved 3D visualization of the middle ear, inner ear, and intratemporal structures. Conclusion: The reconstructed model can be used for the medical students to rehearse or review the surgeries on this part and for the surgeons to develop a new approach for operation. Virtual otoscopy stands as a promising new visualization technique for elucidating the structure and relation of the middle ear, inner ear, and intratemporal structures.