[Experimental studies of ischemia of the cochlea. Part 1: Method]

For the etiology of certain inner ear diseases e.g. sudden hearing loss, an impaired cochlear blood flow is discussed. The model of the ferromagnetic thrombosis is an atraumatic method to produce a selective ischemia of the inner ear. The measurement of the inner ear potentials EP, MP and CAP can help to elucidate which inner ear structures are primarily impaired by local ischemia. During the action of a magnetic field to the right cochlea an intravenous injection of small iron particles leads to a thrombosis of the cochlear veins. EP, MP and CAP were measured in the thrombosed ear and MP and CAP in the undisturbed contralateral ear. The methods of microsurgery on the middle and inner ear, the electrophysiological measurement techniques of the inner ear potentials and the method of producing a ferromagnetic thrombosis are described in detail.