title: Argon laser irradiation of the otolithic organ.
abstract: An argon laser was used to irradiate the otolithic organs of guinea pigs and cynomolgus monkeys. After stapedectomy, the argon laser (1.5 W x 0.5 sec/shot) irradiated the utricle or saccule without touching the sensory organs. The stapes was replaced over the oval window after irradiation. The animals used for acute observation were killed immediately for morphologic studies; those used for long-term observation were kept alive for 2, 4, or 10 weeks. Acute observation revealed that sensory and supporting cells were elevated from the basement membrane only in the irradiated area. No rupture of the membranous labyrinth was observed. Long-term observation revealed that the otolith of the macula utriculi had disappeared in 2-week specimens. The entire macula utricili had disappeared in 10-week specimens. No morphologic changes were observed in cochlea, semicircular canals, or membranous labyrinth. The saccule showed similar changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okuno
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hara
mesh_terms: D008267:Acoustic Maculae / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001128:Argon; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007760:Labyrinth Supporting Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013201:Stapes Surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D001128:Argon