Abstract

The degree of hearing loss and audiogram shape vary in patients with perilymphatic fistula. The cause of variability is not well known. To determine the effect of perilymphatic fistula on cochlear function, we studied the effect of round window membrane rupture on cochlear blood flow (CBF) by placing a laser-Doppler probe to the basal turn in 20 guinea pigs. In 10, endocochlear potential (EP) was measured by inserting a glass microelectrode through the stria vascularis of the basal turn. During 60 minutes following round window membrane rupture, CBF decrease of more than 15% was observed in 9 of 20 animals, and EP decrease of more than 15% was observed in 5 of 10. A significant correlation was observed between the degree of CBF reduction and EP reduction. In 3 animals in which CBF decreased after round window membrane rupture, temporal bones were studied histologically. One cochlea showed endolymphatic hydrops and another cochlea showed significant hemorrhage in the scala tympani after rupture. These results suggested that CBF impairment is associated with cochlear dysfunction in perilymphatic fistula.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.