Quantitative morphology of facial nerve based on three-dimensional reconstruction of temporal bone.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an effective method of quantitative analysis of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures on the basis of three-dimensional (3D) CT image reconstruction of the temporal bone. METHODS: The inner structures of the temporal bone from CT images of 34 healthy adults were reconstructed. Precise measurement of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures were accomplished by using Able Software 3D-DOCTOR. RESULTS: 3D images of temporal bone structures, including facial nerve, tympanic annulus, cochleariform process, cochlea, semicircular canals, jugular fossa, and carotid artery, were reconstructed. Quantitative data of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures were analyzed, especially the detailed spatial relationships between the facial nerve and the surface of the mastoid process or tympanomastoid fissure. CONCLUSION: 3D reconstruction of CT images clearly displayed the detailed structures of the temporal bone. Quantitative data of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures are very useful for temporal bone surgery.