Inner Ear Injury Caused by Air Intrusion to the Scala Vestibuli of the Cochlea

Traumatic Pneumolabyrinth

“…The poorer hearing outcomes in cases complicated with stapes lesions were partially attributed to these conditions. Moreover, the results of this clinical review, showing no recovery in cases with pneumolabyrinth extending to the cochlea in addition to the vestibular organs, are consistent with findings in the guinea pig model by Kobayashi et al (2). We can thus conclude that assessment of the location and extension of air bubble should be mandatory for the management of pneumolabyrinth, although the present study is a meta-analysis of previous reports consisting of uncontrolled and variable cause.…”

“…In contrast, with experimental air perfusion of the scala vestibuli at rates as low as 3 Kl/min, cochlear microphonics was more drastically and irreversibly attenuated than with larger amounts of air applied to the scala tympani (2). Histologically, collapse of the Reissner membrane showed a possible correlation with irreversible damage to cochlear-generated potentials and hearing (2). However, no correlates with these findings in the guinea pig model have yet been reported in humans.…”

“…Subsequently, Kobayashi et al (1) demonstrated that perfusion of the scala tympani with air at rates as high as 200 Kl/min was associated with immediate but reversible decreases in cochlear microphonics and compound action potential with minor effects on endocochlear DC potentials. In contrast, with experimental air perfusion of the scala vestibuli at rates as low as 3 Kl/min, cochlear microphonics was more drastically and irreversibly attenuated than with larger amounts of air applied to the scala tympani (2). Histologically, collapse of the Reissner membrane showed a possible correlation with irreversible damage to cochlear-generated potentials and hearing (2).…”

“…The presence of air inside the inner ear is clear proof of a pathologic connection between the inner and middle ear cavities. We have previously reported the effects of perilymphatic air perfusion on cochlear potentials in guinea pigs (1,2). Decreased cochlear function represented by cochlear potentials occurred after air intrusion into the scala tympani but were reversible when the air was expelled from the perilymph.…”

Pneumolabyrinth secondary to temporal bone fracture: a case report and review of the literature

“…Kobayashi et al13,14 induced sensorineural hearing loss in animal models by introducing air bubbles into the labyrinth. They demonstrated that bubbles disturbed the propagation of the travelling wave of the basilar membrane.…”