Dark Cell Pathology in Meniere's Disease

Abstract

The dark cells in the cristae of the semicircular canals were studied histopathologically in 9 temporal bones from individuals with Menière's disease (MD group), 7 temporal bones with endolymphatic hydrops from individuals without a history of Menière's disease (non-MD hydrops group), and 10 normal temporal bones (control group). The density of the dark cells was significantly lower in specimens in the MD group versus the non-MD hydrops group (Wilcoxon's ranking test, t = 90.5, p less than 0.01) and control group (Wilcoxon's ranking test, t = 50.0, p less than 0.01), and many of the dark cells were found to be abnormal in the specimens from the MD group. The difference in dark cell density between the non-MD hydrops group and control group, however, was not significant (Wilcoxon's ranking test, t = 75.0), and few cells in these groups were abnormal. It is speculated that the differences in density and the abnormalities in dark cell morphology might be either factors in the etiology of endolymphatic hydrops or results of Menière's disease. Other, unknown, factors must be postulated to produce endolymphatic hydrops in ears with hydrops but without MD.

Measurement of the endolymphatic sac potential in human

“…However, our data may raise further questions about some cases with M eni ere's disease in which the endolymphatic sac is not the responsible site for the pathogenesis. A kind of M eni ere's disease may be caused by unknown lesions in the inner ear structure except the endolymphatic sac (Matsunami et al, 1992). And if this is the case, is endolymphatic sac shunt surgery really an effective surgical alternative?…”

Effect of Parenteral Aminoglycoside Administration on Dark Cells in the Crista Ampullaris

“…For this reason, in our study we evaluated the dark cells in the crista of the lateral or posterior semicircular canals (depending on which crista was sectioned more closely perpendicular to its axis). 14 Dark cells show several enzyme activities and are involved in the regulation of endolymph. 16,17 Aminoglycosides have been successfully used for the treatment of Ménière disease.…”

Expression of class III Semaphorins and their receptors in the developing chicken (Gallus gallus) inner ear

“…Many of the dark cells in the Meniere's disease samples also displayed a swollen cytoplasm and displacement of the nucleus. These observed changes in the dark cells in patients diagnosed with Meiners's disease suggest that they are involved in Meniere's disease pathology (Masutani, Takahashi, & Sando, ).…”