Electrocochleographic recordings in acute and healed perilymphatic fistula

In this study, the summating potential (SP) and action potential (AP) amplitude ratio was measured in 15 guinea pigs before and after surgical induction of a round window fistula. The round window fistula was then allowed to heal, and recordings were obtained after 1 month. Stimuli included 8000-Hz and 2000-Hz tone bursts and click stimuli at levels ranging from 100-dB peak equivalent sound pressure level to AP threshold. Immediately after fistula induction, a statistically significant enlargement in the SP/AP amplitude ratio occurred in response to the click and the 8000-Hz tone-burst stimuli. No change in the SP/AP amplitude ratio was observed for the 2000-Hz stimuli. After healing, the SP/AP amplitude ratio generally returned to prelesion values. No unhealed perilymphatic fistulas were observed in any of the 15 guinea pigs at 1 month after fistula induction. Considering the difficulty of diagnosing perilymphatic fistula in humans, it is encouraging to note that, at least in animals, noninvasive electrophysiologic recordings may perhaps be sensitive to the presence of patent perilymphatic fistula.