Middle ear OCT

A promising modality for otology

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging technique that provides non-invasive, depth-resolved visualization of the middle ear space for clinical otology. With OCT, we can capture 3D snapshots of the middle ear in seconds without exposing the patient to any radiation. Once a volumetric image is acquired, OCT allows for further interrogation of the middle ear space by digitally removing the tympanic membrane (TM) to expose structures of interest including incus (I), malleus (M), chorda tympani CT, stapes (ST), tensor tympani (TT), round window (RW) cochlear promontory (CP); and provide a stereometric view of the middle ear without the need to perform tympanotomy. In addition, OCT can capture the vibrometric response of the ossicles to sound non-invasively, allowing for identifying points of fixation or discontinuity in the ossicular chain.