Pathologic Changes in Idiopathic Labyrinthine Hydrops: Correlations with Previous Findings

Abstract

A pair of temporal bone specimens is presented which demonstrates the presence of labyrinthine hydrops with the components of: herniated sac-like dilatations of the utricular wall, dislocation of the ampullary walls, herniation of the utricle, saccular dilatation and collapse, reparative lesions (rupture) of the saccule and utricle, hydrops of the scala media, degeneration of the organ of Corti, and ganglion cell loss. The functional and etiological significance of these pathological findings and previous conflicting reports are discussed.