Viral Labyrinthitis-Histopathologic Characteristics

Abstract

The histopathologic evidence so far available from cases of known viral endolymphatic labyrinthine disease, as well as from several cases in which the viral origin has been clinically indicated but not proven, shows that the route of invasion has probably been by way of the bloodstream. Examples have been demonstrated of inflammatory effects limited to the cochlea, to the cochlea and saccule, and also to the cochlea, saccule, utricle and canals. The findings indicate that the initial inflammatory reaction in this type of case has developed in the vascular bed with secondary changes in the endolymph and resulting progressive degeneration of receptor cells and supporting cells. Partial degeneration of nerve elements has been found in areas corresponding to total loss of Corti's organ.