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Hyperbaric compression in the guinea pig with perilymph fistula
Paige E Lindberg1, G Joseph Parell, Byron J Gajewski
1Department of Otolaryngology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Objective:
The study goal was to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric therapy on the auditory and vestibular function of guinea pigs compromised by perilymph fistula (PLF).
Methods:
Twenty-four pigmented guinea pigs underwent induction of bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction before the creation of a unilateral PLF. Half of the animals were randomly assigned to receive immediate hyperbaric compression treatment of 4 "dives" each. Hearing was tested electrocochleographically, and signs of vestibulopathy were recorded before and after compression.
Results:
After accounting for the effects of PLF, compression was not associated with significant hearing loss (P = 0.5411). Vestibulopathy was seen only in ears with PLF, and its incidence was similar for compression and noncompression groups.
Conclusion:
Hyperbaric compression does not compromise auditory or vestibular function in guinea pig ears with experimental PLF.
Significance:
Our observations support the relative safety of recompression in patients with PLF.
