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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 25:21-24, January 2004
© 2004 American Society of Neuroradiology

HEAD AND NECK

The Cochlear Cleft

Jon B. Chadwell^a, Mark J. Halsted^b, Daniel I. Choo^a, John H. Greinwald^a and Corning Benton^b

^a Department of Otolaryngology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
^b Departments of Radiology, and Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH

Address reprint requests to Corning Benton, MD, Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnett Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent advances in the display of medical images permit the routine study of temporal bone CT images at high magnification. We noted an unfamiliar structure, which we now call the "cochlear cleft," in the otic capsule. To our knowledge, this report represents the first description of this structure in the medical imaging literature.

METHODS: Temporal bone CT performed in 100 pediatric patients without sensorineural hearing loss were examined for the presence of cochlear clefts. Incidence of cochlear clefts as well as the relationship between age and incidence was examined.

RESULTS: Cochlear clefts were present in 41% of the subjects. Incidence decreased with age.

CONCLUSION: We describe a cleft in the otic capsule that is frequently seen on magnified images of temporal bone CT studies in children. The cleft may be the fissula ante fenestram.

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