Comparison of surgeries for removal of primary vestibular inputs: a combined anatomical and behavioral study in rats.
Unilateral removal of Scarpa's ganglion and neurectomy of the peripheral vestibular nerve branches were compared in rats as methods to eliminate primary vestibular input. Ocular nystagmus was consistently observed after both types of lesion, but it completely disappeared within 4 to 7 days. Imbalance and rotation were more serious and prolonged after ganglionectomy than after peripheral neurectomy. Corresponding with these differences in symptoms were differences in terminal degeneration. After ganglionectomy, degenerated axons and terminals were distributed throughout all terminal regions of primary vestibular fibers on the lesioned side, while after peripheral neurectomy, the degeneration was more limited. The results of this study suggest that vestibular ganglionectomy is a more successful approach than peripheral vestibular neurectomy for removing the primary vestibular input.
Li
H
H
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43699, USA.
Godfrey
D A
DA
Rubin
A M
AM
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017626:Cochlear Nucleus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015171:Ganglionectomy; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000473:pathology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology