Round window membrane in Ménière's disease: a human temporal bone study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Histopathology
• Inner ear disorders

Background:

• Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear.
• The round window membrane (RWM) plays a crucial role in inner ear physiology.
• Histopathologic changes in the RWM in Ménière's disease are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the histopathologic characteristics of the round window membrane in Ménière's disease.
• To determine the thickness of the RWM and the prevalence of a false RWM.
• To compare these findings between Ménière's disease patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Histopathologic examination of 12 temporal bones from bilateral Ménière's disease, 44 from unilateral Ménière's disease, and 102 normal temporal bones.
• Measurement of RWM thickness at three distinct locations.
• Assessment for the presence of a false round window membrane.

Main Results:

• Significantly increased mean RWM thickness in Ménière's disease compared to normal controls.
• No significant difference in RWM thickness between the affected and unaffected sides in unilateral Ménière's disease.
• A false round window membrane was found in 25.7% of Ménière's disease cases versus 4.9% in controls.

Conclusions:

• Thickened RWM and increased false RWM presence in Ménière's disease may hinder intratympanic injections.
• The thickened middle layer of the RWM might be linked to the perilymphatic pressure fluctuations characteristic of Ménière's disease.