Related Experiment Videos
[Vertigo in suction of open mastoid cavities ("radical surgery cavities")]
H W Pau1, S Graumüller, U Sievert
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie Otto Körner, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Rostock. hans-wilhelm.pau@med.uni-rostock.de
Background:
Vertigo during suction-cleaning of open mastoid cavities is caused by cold stimulation of the vestibular organ. In clinical and model-experimental measurements we tried to estimate the physical background and the dimension of this temperature drop.
Methods:
Using different techniques like thermo-probes, thermovision, or additional model experiments temperature changes during suction were measured in 5 volunteers with open mastoid cavities. These registrations were carried out with special regard to the moisture of the cavity-walls.
Results:
Distinct temperature changes during suction were observed. In moist cavities superficial temperature decrease was much higher than in dry ones. Using additional model experiments, temperature conduction towards e.g. the horizontal semicircular canal could be simulated.
Discussion And Conclusions:
Among other mechanisms like replacement of sucked-off air by colder air, or taking away warm air close to the cavity walls, effects of evaporative cold seem to be very significant. This could be demonstrated by moistening cavity walls in patients as well as in model experiments. The conclusion to keep the cavity walls as dry as possible is already a clinical demand. In this paper, the physical background and the dimensions of thermal effects during suction-cleaning could be elucidated.