Reconstructions and cross-sectional area measurements from magnetic resonance microscopic images of the cochlea

In this study, magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy was used to obtain serial sections through the cochleae of mustached bats. As previously reported 25-μm isotropic voxels can be obtained. Specific areas in each slice were segmented and then three-dimensional (3-D) reconstructions of the perilymphatic and endolymphatic spaces and spiral ligament were obtained. Quantitative measurements of the cross-sectional areas were made with customized macros written for the public-domain software, NIH Image. Results of this study revealed enlargements of the scalae and spiral ligament in areas known to be involved with processing of the animal's biosonar and fine-frequency analysis.