Normal canals at the fundus of the internal auditory canal: CT evaluation

Purpose: Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the four bony canals located at the fundus of the internal auditory canal (IAC) is necessary during evalua tion of temporal bone trauma, congenital anomalies affecting the individual nerves, and some neurootologic surgeries. The purpose of this work was the refore to characterize the normal appearance of the four bony canals and to measure their dimensions. Method: A retrospective study was performed using CT studies of the tempora l bones in 50 patients to identify and characterize the bony canals for the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve (BCFN), superior vestibular nerve (BCSVN), cochlear nerve (BCNC), and the inferior vestibular nerve (singula r canal; SC) located at the fundus of the IAC. All the patients underwent h igh resolution temporal bone CT for evaluation of uncomplicated inflammator y (n = 49) and neoplastic (n = 1) diseases involving the temporal bone. CT studies were done using 1-mm-thick contiguous sections in axial and coronal planes. Measurements of the canals were performed by one radiologist. No p atient had a prior history of trauma, vertigo, and sensorineural hearing lo ss or facial nerve paralysis. Results: The BCFN, BCSVN, and BCNC were identified in all studies, whereas the SC was seen in 93% of studies. The BCFN, BCSVN, and BCNC arise from the fundus of the IAC, whereas the SC arises medial to the fundus. Mean-SD mea surements (in mm) of the length and width were as follows: BCFN = 2.92 +/- 0.48 and 0.91 +/- 0.28; BCSVN = 2.36 +/- 0.53 and 0.89 +/- 0.213; BCNC = 0. 93 +/- 0.21 and 2.13 +/- 0.44; sind SC = 3.22 +/- 0.73 and 0.50 +/- 0.14. Conclusion: These small canals are routinely visualized on thin section (1 mm) CT of the temporal bone and should not be confused with fractures. This study provides baseline measurements that may be used to evaluate congenit al anomalies of these canals. These data may also be helpful in the presurg ical evaluation of patients undergoing singular neurectomies for benign pos itional vertigo.