Histological studies were made of 16 temporal bones of 13 subjects who had stapedectomy operations. Photographs of the prostheses in situ are a special feature of the studies. It was found that prostheses which overlap the margins of the oval window cause incomplete closure of the air-bone gaps. Fibrous adhesions were a common consequence of trauma to the mucous membrane of the middle ear. Gelfoam implantation promotes the formation of thin oval window membranes which tend to bulge out of the oval window. Most incudes show small areas of cortical bone resorption. In at least half the cases the surgical technique of stapedectomy, as judged from these studies, was less than ideal. Surgeons who perform stapedectomy should be cognizant of the relevant surgical pathology and adopt methods which will optimize functional results and minimize complications.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Entropic models in biology: the next scientific revolution?

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Biophysical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Obliteration of the ductus reuniens.

The ductus reuniens was successfully obliterated in 52 guinea pig ears. Histopathological study showed that a majority of these specimens demonstrated cochlear hydrops, saccular collapse and normal utricle. These results support the theory of longitudinal flow of endolymph from the cochlea toward the endolymphatic sac via the ductus reuniens and saccule. A major source of endolymph in the saccule appears to be the scala media. In another set of 11 animals in which the ductus reuniens was first obstructed and two months later the endolymphatic duct was blocked, endolymphatic hydrops was shown in the cochleae, saccules, and utricles of all but one. The evidence suggests that cochlear hydrops was caused by obliteration of the ductus reuniens, and the saccular and utricular hydrops occurred subsequently as the result of blockage of the endolymphatic duct. Remnants of otolithic membrane which were attached to the distended saccular wall indicate that the membrane which had collapsed onto the macula after obliteration of the ductus reuniens is capable of subsequent distension. This experiment supports the concept of endolymph flow from the utricle and canals toward the endolymphatic sac. A blocked cutus reuniens might also explain the pathophysiological basis for the auditory form of Meniere's disease.

Animals↗