Impact of intrascalar blood on hearing.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this controlled animal study was to evaluate the effects of intrascalar blood on hearing.


METHODS
Eight guinea pigs underwent intrascalar administration of their own blood in one ear and control solution in the contralateral ear. Solutions were applied through cochleostomy to the scala tympani. Compound action potential (CAP) thresholds were determined before administration and at different intervals for 2 months thereafter.


RESULTS
Immediate deterioration of thresholds was seen mainly in the high-frequency range, averaging 27 dB and 20 dB in the study and control groups, respectively. At day 3, threshold shifts recovered in the control group but remained in the low-frequency range in the study group. An extensive recovery was seen in both groups. However, permanent threshold shifts persisted. There was an enhanced shift of thresholds of up to 7 dB in the study group.


CONCLUSIONS
Even small amounts of intrascalar blood seem to cause transient and permanent detrimental effects on cochlear function. In procedures involving opening of the otic capsule-like stapes surgery and cochlear implantation with hearing preservation-minimizing surgical blood admixture to intracochlear compartments seems therefore fundamental.
Radeloff
Andreas
A
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, JW Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. andreas@radeloff.de
Unkelbach
Marc H
MH
Tillein
Jochen
J
Braun
Susanne
S
Helbig
Silke
S
Gstöttner
Wolfgang
W
Adunka
Oliver F
OF
D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D003051:Cochlea / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*