The Normal Ear

Michaels, L.; Hellquist, Henrik B.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-0235-9_1

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…It is possible that the foci of connective tissue in these 2 situations are reactions to the irritation produced by repeated distension and subsidence of the adjacent cochlear duct and saccule, respectively. 24 Reissner's membrane can be so distorted that it adheres to the cochlear duct and the stapes footplate when hydrops is present. 10 It was also described in cases of otosclerosis where secondary hydrops attached membranes to the stapes footplate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lymphatic Vessels in the Inner Ear of Patients With Meniere Disease: A Novel Pathological Finding

Zhang,

Li,

et al. 2024

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BackgroundMeniere disease, characterized by intermittent episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural pressure, is a common cause of vertigo in humans. The pathogenesis of Meniere disease remains unknown. The current study aimed to describe a novel pathological change discovered in the inner ears of patients with Meniere disease who underwent labyrinthectomy.MethodsThis retrospective case‐control study was conducted with 21 patients with MD who underwent labyrinthectomy. A total of 15 patients diagnosed with acoustic neuroma or glomus jugular tumor were review over the same period of time as control. The clinical information of the patients and the pathological features of the membrane are described.ResultsThe new pathological tissue was a morbid membrane structure sealing the round window, characterized by the formation of lymphatic capillaries. Histochemical and immunofluorescent staining was positive for D2‐40, LYVE‐1, podoplanin, and PROX1, which are the classical markers of the lymphatic vessels. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the lymph capillaries lacked a typical basement membrane and that their ends were blind, composed of a single layer of endothelial cells with valval connection structures between adjacent capillary epithelial cells.ConclusionThis is the first report of lymphatic vessels in the human inner ear, and this pathological structure is a completely new discovery. The lymphatic vessels may develop due to inflammation or decompensation of pressure in the inner ear, suggesting that the inner ear can reactively form lymphatic vessels in some inflammation and fluid flow‐dependent pathological conditions. The current findings help in improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of Meniere disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%