Morphometry of the nuclear cochlear complex

Abstract

Introduction: The cochlear nuclear complex (CNC) is the most caudal part of the central auditory system and is a mandatory relay station in the transmission of nerve impulses to the auditory cortex. Its injury involves ipsilateral deafness and sometimes tinnitus. It is of increasing interest due to its importance in the placement of auditory implants in the brainstem, especially in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 who have bilateral schwannomas. Because of this, knowing the anatomy of such structure is of paramount importance.The aim of the present work is to study the anatomy of the CNC through cadaveric dissection and compare it with the existing literature.
Material and methods: Ten human brains trunks (20 CNC) were analyzed in this study, and fixed with 10% diluted aqueous formaldehyde solution for 30 days. An electronic bibliographic search was made in the PUBMED database. Results: The area and the vertical and horizontal lengths of the CNC were calculated. Conclusion: Differences were found with respect to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the CNC and the bibliography analyzed. Unpublished data were obtained regarding the area of the CNC exposed at the level of the fourth ventricle. All the data collected could be taken into account for future CNC investigations, to perform neurosurgery involving the placement of a brainstem implant and also for the design of new brainstem implants, more in line with the anatomy of this important nucleus.