Development of Pressure Monitoring and Controlling System for Quantitative Analysis of Experimentally Induced Perilymph Fistula

Abstract

The cause of perilymph fistula, a subgroup of sudden deafness, has not been clearly understood. To study its etiology quantitatively, the inner ear pressure monitoring system with a computer controlled pressurizing device and three types of low-pressure monitoring sensors was constructed and utilized in ex vivo experiments using white guinea pigs. Hypothesizing that cerebrospinal pressure increases cause rupture of the round window membrane, direct and indirect pressurization to cerebrospinal region and simultaneous measurement of inner ear and cerebrospinal pressures were carried out. Ruptures of the round window membranes were seen in the experiments with direct saline infusion into the cochlea when the increment of inner ear pressure exceeded 500 mmH₂O. There was no sign of rupture when squeezing abdomen was employed as an indirect pressurization, although cerebrospinal pressure increased.

Key Words:

• perilymph fistula
• round window membrane
• pressure monitoring syste