Selective vestibular ablation by KTP laser in endolymphatic hydrops.
OBJECTIVE
Vertigo, the cause of disability in many patients with Ménière's disease, may be the result of the effects of endolymphatic hydrops on the semicircular canals. We hypothesize that intractable vertigo may be controlled by destruction of the semicircular canal neuroepithelium using visible light lasers without the need for extensive fenestration of the bony labyrinth. This study was designed to assess the cochlear effects of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser-assisted triple semicircular canal ablation (TSCA) in endolymphatic hydrops.


METHODS
Randomized, prospective, and controlled.


METHODS
Forty-one adult guinea pigs underwent either a unilateral endolymphatic duct occlusion to induce hydrops or a sham procedure. Ten weeks after induction of the hydrops, a KTP laser-assisted TSCA or a sham surgery was performed.


RESULTS
Electrocochleographic thresholds to clicks and tone-bursts (2-20 kHz) did not change significantly up to 4 weeks after TSCA in hydropic ears. Cross-sectional histology confirmed the presence of hydrops and the ablation of the semicircular canals. Cochlear whole-mounts for hair cell counts showed no significant loss of outer or inner hair cells in hydropic ears treated with TSCA.


CONCLUSIONS
KTP laser-assisted TSCA can be performed in the guinea pig model of endolymphatic hydrops without significant loss of hearing. Evaluation of this technique may be warranted in patients with intractable Ménière's disease.
Adamczyk
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0264, USA.
Antonelli
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018159:Endolymphatic Hydrops / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000473:pathology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome