The role of radiographic phase-contrast imaging in the development of intracochlear electrode arrays

Objective: This study describes the application of a new radiographic imagi ng modality, phase-contrast radiography, to in vitro human temporal bone im aging and investigates its use in the development of new electrode arrays f or cochlear implants. Background: The development of perimodiolar electrode arrays for cochlear i mplants requires detailed information from postoperative radiologic assessm ent on the position of the array in relation to the cochlear structures. Cu rrent standard radiographic techniques provide only limited details. Materials and Methods: Nucleus standard electrode arrays and perimodiolar C ontour electrode arrays were implanted into the scala tympani of 11 human t emporal bones. Both conventional and phase-contrast radiographs were taken of each temporal bone for comparative purposes. Results: Phase-contrast imaging provides better visualization of anatomic d etails of the inner car and of the structure of the intracochlear electrode array, and better definition of electrode location in relation to cochlear walls. Conclusion: Phase-contrast radiography offers significant improvement over conventional radiography in images of in vitro human temporal bones. It see ms to be a valuable tool in the development of intracochlear electrode arra ys and cochlear implant research, However, this new radiographic technique still requires certain computational and physics challenges to be addressed before its clinical use can be established.