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Long‐term consequences of vestibular ablation by laser in a monkey
Author(s) -
Wilpizeski Chester,
Sataloff Joseph
Publication year - 1974
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 - 10.1288/00005537-197402000-00009
Subject(s) - ablation , vestibular system , medicine , anatomy , nystagmus , endolymphatic sac , lumen (anatomy) , surgery , inner ear , audiology
A squirrel monkey having argon laser lesions of the horizontal and posterior semicircular canals showed initial suppression of nystagmus soon after irradiation. Prior to his death 417 days following surgery, the duration and frequency of caloric and rotation‐induced nystagmus was within normal limits. At no time was a significant hearing loss measured following irradiation. Histological examination of the irradiated ear showed laser craters perforating the bony canals with resultant fibrous tissue constricting the endolymphatic duct to a narrow but patent lumen. The appearance of the lesions was virtually identical to that seen in other irradiated monkeys sacrificed within several weeks after surgery. No osteogenesis or repair processes other than scar tissue in the vicinity of the laser perforations was evident. Although perhaps not useful for arresting vestibular function permanently, this laser seems to have created no deleterious side effects and may yet prove promising for other otologic microsurgical procedures requiring cutting or drilling.