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Preventing internal auditory artery vasospasm using topical papaverine: an animal study
Krzysztof Morawski1, Fred F Telischi, Faisal Merchant
1ENT Department, Silesian Medical Academy, Zabrze, Poland.
Summary
Topical papaverine effectively prevented internal auditory artery (IAA) spasm and preserved cochlear blood flow (CBF) and function in a rabbit model. This finding suggests papaverine may improve hearing outcomes after acoustic neuroma surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oto-neuroscience
- Vascular surgery
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Internal auditory artery (IAA) spasm is a suspected cause of hearing loss after acoustic neuroma removal.
- Topical papaverine, a vasodilator, has been proposed to prevent inner ear vascular insufficiency but lacks clinical proof.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an animal model of IAA vasospasm.
- To evaluate the efficacy of topical papaverine in preventing IAA vasospasm and preserving cochlear function.
Main Methods:
- Mechanically induced IAA compression in rabbits to create vasospasm.
- Laser-Doppler flowmetry to measure cochlear blood flow (CBF).
- Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) to assess cochlear function.
Main Results:
- Control ears showed postcompression IAA vasospasm and reduced DPOAE.
- Papaverine-treated ears demonstrated near-complete recovery of CBF and DPOAE to baseline levels.
Conclusions:
- A reliable animal model for IAA vasospasm was developed.
- Topical papaverine successfully prevented mechanically induced IAA vasospasm.
- Findings suggest papaverine could be beneficial in surgeries involving the internal auditory canal/cerebellopontine angle.