Malformation of Stapes in VACTERLS Association: A Histopathologic Study and Three-Dimensional Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal bone with a malformed stapes in VACTERLS association. STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a case report, histopathology of the temporal bone, and three-dimensional reconstruction of the ossicles and cochlea. SETTING: The study was carried out in the Temporal Bone Bank at Charles University, Hradec Králové, on a case from Temporal Bone Foundation, Boston. PATIENT: A 1540-g, 41-cm female neonate with VACTERLS association, histopathology of the temporal bone, and three-dimensional reconstruction of the middle ear ossicles and cochlea. RESULTS: The posterior part of the footplate was missing, and the posterior crura of the stapes was not connected to the footplate but found freely suspended in the sinus tympani. CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction was performed from histologic sections of the temporal bone removed from a case of VACTERLS association. The reconstruction included structures such as the bony labyrinth and the middle ear ossicles. The abnormality observed in the reconstruction included the mislocation of the stapes and a shortened footplate.