This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Pathologic Findings of the Spiral Ligament

Ruth Gussen, MD

Arch Otolaryngol. 1975;101(7):438-440.

Abstract
In severe labyrinthine otosclerosis, spiral ligament changes occur predominantly adjacent to the stria vascularis, and consist of a decrease or loss of the capillary-perilymph system. It is suggested that this results in increased concentrations of metabolic products in the cochlear fluids that can no longer be absorbed effectively.

If vascular shunts form they might represent collateral channels, with the flow of blood from the cochlea into the otosclerotic focus, bypassing the deficient capillary network in the spiral ligament. The zone of dense collagenization is described as a widening of the soft tissue endosteum of the cochlear capsule due to erosion of the bone, with the bone surface now set further back.

This may result in greater mobility or loosening of the suspension mechanism of the basilar membrane.

Author Affiliations
From the divisions of head and neck surgery (otolaryngology) and pathology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Feb 25, 1975.

Read before the 18th Annual Committee for Research in Otolaryngology, American Academy of Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology, Dallas, Oct 5, 1974.

Reprint requests to 32-34 Rehabilitation Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (Dr. Gussen).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?