Decalcification method for nondestructive exposure of human inner ear specimens using ultrasonic EDTA scrubbing

Owing to the density of the surrounding bone, preparation for histological preparation of the delicate inner ear is difficult and time-consuming; long preparation time increases the risk of deterioration. We present an EDTA decalcification method using an ultrasonic bath and microscopic removal of tissue along defined anatomical landmarks. Our method is rapid and enables preservation of delicate inner ear structures while minimizing the bony capsule. The reduction in volume made possible by our method creates ideal conditions for further processing with digital imaging techniques, in which the resolution is increased with reduced volume.