Contrast observation between sagittal histological and CT images in temporal bone

OBJECTIVE To make digital sagital celloidin thin sectional data of lateral skull base and to contrast with CT and HEstain pictures in order to provide reference for imaging diagnosis and surgical approach design.METHODS A cadever head was used for making lateral skull base specimen after spiral CT scanning.After celloidin embedding.a brain slicer was used to make sagital thin slices(100μm),a Sony F-717 digital camera was used to take pictures after each slice and the pictures were saved in computer.Representative sections were selected for HE staining.Then the digital picture,the HE staining picture and the CT image were observed contrastly to describe the characteristics of anatomical structures including aditus ad antrum plane, second genu of facial nerve plane,arch of semicircular canal plane,cochlear and vestibule plane,fundus of internal acoustic canal plane and cranial orifice of internal acoustic canal plane.RESULTS Two sets of complete sagital digital thin sectional data were obtained,delicate structures were shown clearly and spatial relationships between anatomic structures can be understood well by sequential observation.Sagital plane is in accordance with the operational plane,it can show the vertical segment of facial nerve and the relationship between lateral semicircular canal and second genu of facial nerve clearly.Vestibular aqueduct,jugular vein fossa,internal acoustic canal nerves and dimension of mastoid could also be shown satisfactorily.CONCLUSION Contrast observation between sagital digital celloidin images and CT images is helpful for understanding of three-dimensional structures and operational approaches in temporal bone.HE staining images can help accurate recognition of structures in celloidin images.Both can guide reading of CT images and provide valuable data for imaging diagnosis and operational orientation.