The Ultrasonic Irradiation of the Posterior Labyrinth in Ménière's Disease: Some Physiopathological data

Abstract

In collaboration with O. Sala and G. Molinari, the author has been able to establish, through physiopathological tests, the different thermic and ultrasonic actions developed in the endolymph and in the ampullar cristae by low intensity ultrasonic irradiation applied directly on the osseous labyrinth. Both actions were controlled by physical apparatuses. A special analysis was devoted to the physiological study of the different movements engendered in the endolymph by ultrasonic irradiation. The results obtained furnish the explanation of the characteristics of the nystagmus, appearing during the ultrasonic irradiation, effected in man when ultrasound is applied in severe cases of Ménière's disease.