Three-dimensional computer reconstruction of a temporal bone.

The complexities of the temporal bone and the critical inter-relationships among its key structures can be simplified with three-dimensional computer-assisted reconstruction. Knowledge of the topography of these structures and their mutual relationships in essential in any surgical approach to the temporal bone. Sixty sagittal histologic sections of a normal left temporal bone were examined. Each section, 30 microns in thickness, was optically enlarged. Segments representing the facial nerve, internal carotid artery, and inner ear structures from individual slides were traced and data were entered into a computer. A personal computer was used for data processing and analysis. Graphic software developed in our laboratory generated images with x-y-z coordinates that could be rotated in any plane. The high resolution of the computer graphics system, combined with the precision of histologic sections, permitted study of the critical three-dimensional anatomic relationships among essential intratemporal bone structures. The capability of reproducing individual and joint images of the intratemporal bone structures and viewing them from all surgical angles gives skull base and otologic surgeons important topographic guidance. Accurate spatial measurements of temporal bone anatomy are now possible with the application of computer graphic technology.