Cochlear Pathology After Destruction Of The Endolymphatic Sac In The Cat

Abstract

The endolymphatic sacs of the left ears of fifteen cats were destroyed surgically, and after survival times of six months to three years, twelve were found to have endolymphatic hydrops. Four control ears which were subjected to sham operations and eighteen opposite ears failed to show endolymphatic hydrops. Three of four animals with postoperative survival times of two and a half to three years also had atrophic changes in the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion which were most severe in the apical regions. Thus it appears that loss of function of the endolymphatic sac not only results in increase in volume of endolymph presumably due to inadequate resorption, but also leads to atrophy of the sense organ and ganglion of the cochlea. A critical appraisal of all the evidence supports the concept that loss of function of the sac may be the primary etiologic factor in Meniere's disease.