Histopathological observation on the inner ear barotrauma in guinea pig

Abstract

In this paper we report on the histopathological and ultrastructural changes of the inner ear caused by experimental aural barotrauma in 40 guinea pigs. The experimental results showed that the cochlea can be damaged by both rapidly increasing and decreasing pressure and the Corti’s organ in the basal and second turn will be damaged more markedly than those in the subsequent turns. The main histopathological findings of the inner ear barotrauma can be summarized as follows: 1) Hemorrhage in the cochlear spaces; 2) rupture of the membranous structures of the cochlea and the round window; 3) formation of air bubbles in the perilymphatic spaces; 4) degeneration and necrocytosis of the Corti’s organ and spiral ganglion cellls; 5) derangement, fusion, break-off and/or disappearance of the cochlear sensory hairs. These findings may provide the histopathological basis for clinical study of the inner ear barotrauma. The aim of the present paper is to make preliminary investigations into its underlying mechanism.

Keywords

experimental aural barotrauma / histopathological findings of cochlea / light and electron microscopy / guinea pig / absolute atmosphere

References

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