Classification of ossicular fixation based on a computational simulation of ossicular mobility

Sinyoung Lee*, Hyeonsik You, Yoji Morita, Sho Kanzaki, Fei Zhao, Takuji Koike

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Ossicular fixation disturbs the mobility of the ossicular chain and causes conductive hearing loss. To diagnose the lesion area, otologists typically assess ossicular mobility through intraoperative palpation. Quantification of ossicular mobility and evidence-based diagnostic criteria are necessary for accurate assessment of each pathology, because diagnosis via palpation can rely on the surgeons’ experiences and skills. In this study, ossicular mobilities were simulated in 92 pathological cases of ossicular fixation as compliances using a finite-element (FE) model of the human middle ear. The validity of the ossicular mobilities obtained from the FE model was verified by comparison with measurements of ossicular mobilities in cadavers using our newly developed intraoperative ossicular mobility measurement system. The fixation-induced changes in hearing were validated by comparison with changes in the stapedial velocities obtained from the FE model with measurements reported in patients and in temporal bones. The 92 cases were classified into four groups by conducting a cluster analysis based on the simulated ossicular compliances. Most importantly, the cases of combined fixation of the malleus and/or the incus with otosclerosis were classified into two different surgical procedure groups by degree of fixation, i.e., malleo-stapedotomy and stapedotomy. These results suggest that pathological characteristics can be detected using quantitatively measured ossicular compliances followed by cluster analysis, and therefore, an effective diagnosis of ossicular fixation is achievable.
Original languageEnglish
Article number20468
Pages (from-to)20468
JournalScientific Reports
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cluster analysis
  • Computer Simulation
  • Ear Ossicles - surgery
  • Female
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Finite-element model
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive - physiopathology - surgery - diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Incus - surgery
  • Male
  • Malleus - surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle ear transfer function
  • Ossiculoplasty
  • Otosclerosis
  • Otosclerosis - surgery - physiopathology
  • Palpation
  • Stapes Surgery - methods

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