Electrophysiological monitoring of cochlear function as a non-invasive method to assess intracranial pressure variations.
The "cochlear" aqueduct is a narrow channel connecting the subarachnoid and intralabyrinthine spaces. Through this communication, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure variations are transmitted to the intralabyrinthine space and modify the impedance of the ear. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) are sounds emitted by cochlear sensory cells in response to sonic stimulation. Cochlear microphonic potentials (CMP) express the electrophysiological activity of cochlear sensory cells. At 1 kHz, the phase of DPOAE and CMP varies according to the impedance of the ear and thus to intracranial pressure (ICP) variations. DPOAE and CMP have been shown to strictly follow ICP variations produced during infusion tests performed in the diagnosis of chronic hydrocephalus. DPOAE and CMP recordings appear to be valuable tools for monitoring ICP non-invasively.
Department of Neurosurgery, Clermont University, Clermont-Ferrand, France. lsakka@chu-clermontferrand.fr
Laurent
L
Sakka
Aurélie
A
Thalamy
Fabrice
F
Giraudet
Thierry
T
Hassoun
Paul
P
Avan
Jean
J
Chazal
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D003051:Cochlea / Q000502:physiology*; D003055:Cochlear Microphonic Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology*