EFFECT ON BRAIN-STEM AUDITORY EVOKED-RESPONSES OF POSTERIOR SEMICIRCULAR CANAL OCCLUSION IN GUINEA-PIGS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 14  (3) , 145-150
Abstract
The site of origin of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the posterior semicircular canal and when persistent, the condition is known as cupulolithiasis. Singular nurectomy is the current procedure of choice for the treatment of incapacitating cupulolithiasis. The neurectomy is difficult to learn and carries a significant risk of hearing loss. An alternative procedure, whereby the posterior canal is occluded, is discussed. This was performed on 11 guinea pig; the effect on hearing was measured using brainstem evoked audiometry. Eight animals showed no hearing loss while the other 3 had a mild to moderate loss of hearing due to intra-operative complications. The effect of canal plugging on hearing compares favorably with the hearing results obtained with singular neurectomy. Posterior semicircular canal occlusion is suggested as a safer and technically easier treatment for incapacitating cupulolithiasis.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: