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Histological effects of intratympanic gentamicin on the vestibular organ of guinea pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2010

R C Demarco
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
M Rossato
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
J A A de Oliveira
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
M A Hyppolito*
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
*
Address for correspondence: Dr M A Hyppolito, Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil Fax: 551636022860 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background:

Transtympanic administration of gentamicin may be suitable to achieve unilateral vestibular ablation, in order to control unilateral Ménière's disease. In low doses, gentamicin appears to affect selectively the vestibular system, with relative sparing of the cochlea. An experimental study on guinea pigs was conducted to determine what single dose of gentamicin would produce a unilateral vestibular organ lesion when applied to the middle ear.

Study design:

Experimental and prospective.

Methods:

Four groups of guinea pigs received different gentamicin doses (1, 5, 10 and 25 mg) administered to the middle ear. The animals' vestibular organs were then assessed by scanning electron microscopy, in order to quantify the level of vestibular damage.

Results:

Study of the utricular macula and the ampullar crista of the lateral semicircular canal revealed vestibular neuroepithelial lesions in all infused ears.

Conclusions:

The severity of the vestibular neuroepithelial lesions was dose-dependent. Lower gentamicin doses were observed to damage vestibular structures more than cochlear structures.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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