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A Potential Portal Flow in the Inner Ear
Author(s) -
Friis Morten,
Qvortrup Klaus
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/mlg.0b013e31802c028d
Subject(s) - inner ear , medicine , endolymphatic sac , endolymph , anatomy , sigmoid sinus , sinus (botany) , blood flow , vestibular system , perilymph , vestibular aqueduct , anastomosis , semicircular canal , surgery , radiology , biology , thrombosis , botany , genus
Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of the present study was to visualize the flow direction of blood in the extraosseous part of the vein of the vestibular aqueduct (VVA) and to explore the effect of an induced obstruction in the distal part of the VVA before it merges with the sigmoid sinus. The endolymphatic sac has been implicated as a potential endocrine gland, which venules drain to the VVA. A reversal of the direction of flow in the VVA toward the inner ear could, through vestibular arteriovenous anastomosis, cause portal circulation in the inner ear. Study Design: The authors conducted an experimental animal study using in vivo fluorescence microscopy. Results: Obstructing the distal part of the VVA just before it empties into the sigmoid sinus immediately reverses the flow of blood in the VVA toward the inner ear. Conclusions: After an obstruction of the VVA, the drained venous blood from the endolymphatic sac may enter a portal circulation in the inner ear, which could cause disturbances in the endolymph homeostasis and potentially symptoms as seen in Meniere disease.