Ultrastructure of the Endolymphatic Sac in Two-phase Endolymphatic Hydrops in the Guinea Pig

• Published in: Acta oto-laryngologica Vol. 119; no. 3; pp. 345 - 350
• Main Authors: VERHEUL, J, SEGENHOUT, J. M, DUNNEBIER, E. A, ALBERS, F. W. J, BLAAUW, E. H, WIT, H. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stockholm Informa UK Ltd 01.01.1999; Taylor & Francis; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Aldosterone - pharmacokinetics; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Endolymphatic Hydrops - pathology; Endolymphatic Hydrops - physiopathology; Endolymphatic Sac - metabolism; Endolymphatic Sac - physiopathology; Endolymphatic Sac - ultrastructure; Ent. Stomatology; Female; Guinea Pigs; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Meniere Disease - diagnosis; Meniere Disease - physiopathology; Microscopy, Electron; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase - metabolism; Steroid hormone; Mineralocorticoid; Internal ear disease; Rodentia; Characteristic; Stage classification; Exploration; Aldosterone; Anasarca; Experimental study; Pathology; Vertebrata; Endolymph; Mammalia; Guinea pig; Transmission electron microscopy; Animal; Adrenal hormone; ENT disease; Meniere disease
• ISSN: 0001-6489; 1651-2251
• DOI: 10.1080/00016489950181378

Two-phase endolymphatic hydrops is a subtle experimental model for Meniere's disease. Chronic dysfunction of the endolymphatic sac, induced by dissection of the most distal part without causing damage to the intermediate part, is combined with increased endolymph production induced by administration of aldosterone which stimulates the Na/K-ATPase in the stria vascularis. A transmission electron microscopic study was performed on the endolymphatic sacs of four groups of guinea pig cochleas: controls; non-operated aldosterone-treated cochleas; operated (dissection of the endolymphatic sac) cochleas; operated and aldosterone-treated cochleas. Light and electron microscopy showed a normal morphology in the controls. Aldosterone treatment had no visible effect. Dissected ears revealed severe deviations. The epithelium of the intermediate sac was low, showed dilated lateral intercellular spaces indicating elevated fluid transport and displayed serious degenerative processes. Distally, the endolymphatic sac was completely blocked by newly formed bone. Additional aldosterone treatment had no cumulative effect on the dissected ears.