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High resolution; contrast-enhanced X-ray microscopy of the ex vivo human cochlea: technical feasibility and biometric case analysis
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DOI：10.3389/fnins.2026.1838204.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
BackgroundThe human cochlea is a fragile; spiral-shaped sensory organ for hearing that is deeply embedded within the dense otic capsule bone; making accurate post-mortem anatomical studies difficult when using conventional histological approaches requiring sectioning. X-ray microscopy (XRM) is a non-destructive radiological imaging modality that combines geometric and optical magnification to achieve high-resolution 3D visualization.MethodsHere; we evaluated the ability of XRM to resolve the entire inner ear; including delineating soft tissue and bony structures; in trimmed human temporal bones ex vivo following lumen perfusion with a reversible iodine-based contrast-enhancing solution. After optimizing contrast incubation conditions; XRM datasets were acquired; reconstructed; and used to generate 3D volume renderings of the inner ear.ResultsXRM enabled visualization of the entire cochlea and vestibular system; from millimeter-scale labyrinthine anatomy to submillimeter and micrometer-scale cochlear structures; including spiral ganglion nerve fiber bundles and sensory cell rows. Quantitative analysis in a representative case demonstrated an increasing width-to-height ratio of the organ of Corti from the basal to the apical cochlear turns; consistent with histology images and prior anatomical studies.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that XRM provides high-resolution; sectioning-free ex vivo 3D visualization of human cochlear anatomy and may enable quicker and more faithful correlation of cochlear pathology with otologic disorders than traditional histology.
Keywords:
temporal bone
high-resolution imaging
otopathology
cochlear microanatomy
contrast-enhanced imaging
ex vivo imaging
X-ray computed tomography (XCT)
X-ray microscopy (XRM)
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