| TEMPORAL
BONE SPECIMEN DATABASE |
The Registry's temporal bone database contains
information from 6,348 cases (over 12,000 specimens) from eighteen U.S. temporal bone
collections. It is a valuable resource for researchers studying hearing and balance
problems in their search for relevant specimens. Combined with new techniques of cellular
and molecular biology, such as antigen retrieval and DNA extraction from processed
temporal bones, this database enhances the research value of the U.S. temporal bone
collections. This database also provides a mechanism to access archival specimens for
research, and fosters collaboration between researchers and laboratories.
The database, however, is not meant to
substitute for the actual study of specimens. Rather, it provides basic information on the
specimens, and directs researchers to the appropriate collections for further study. The
database catalogues all known processed human temporal bones and related brain tissue
specimens in the United States, and the data associated with these specimens by clinical
and histopathologic diagnoses. The donor’s identity for all specimens is kept
confidential.
Information provided
by the database:
-
Processing data, including the type of
fixative used, decalcifying agent, embedding medium, and cutting plane;
-
Historical data, including the donor’s
clinical otologic and medical diagnoses, an otologic history, whether or not audiograms
are available, whether vestibular testing was done, and what otologic surgery was
performed;
-
Histopathologic data, including a
description of the histopathologic findings, the histopathologic diagnoses, and
HISTOLOGICAL
DIAGNOSES OF BONES IN THE DATABASE
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