In vivo MRI visualization of endolymphatic hydrops induced by keyhole limpet hemocyanin round window immunization

Abstract

Endolymphatic hydrops is considered one of the principal pathological manifestations of Menière's disease and abnormal immunoreaction may be one of the aetiologies of the disease. To investigate the effect of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) immunization on cochlear morphology and function in vivo, guinea pigs were inoculated with KLH systemically and received round window membrane delivery (group I). In the control group (group II), KLH was replaced with phosphate buffered saline. In vivo gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acidbismethylamide MRI was obtained and compound action potentials were measured. In MRI, evident endolymphatic hydrops was detected in 2 of the 4 animals in group I and blood-endolymph barrier permeability increased in 3 of the 4 animals. The membranous lateral wall and the spiral lamina, in continuation with the organ of Corti, were also demonstrated in the MRI. More than 10 dB hearing loss was found in 2 out of the 4 animals in group I. Neither endolymphatic hydrops nor blood-endolymph barrier permeability change developed in group II.

• immune mediated disease
• Menière's disease
• otitis media
• animal model
• MRI