Middle fossa vestibular nerve section. A histopathological report.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Pathology

Background:

• Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear.
• Surgical intervention, including vestibular nerve section, is an option for intractable Meniere's disease.
• Scarpa's ganglia play a role in vestibular function.

Observation:

• A patient with Meniere's disease underwent middle fossa vestibular nerve section and Scarpa's ganglia excision.
• Temporal bone studies were conducted 2.5 years post-operatively.
• Histological examination revealed fibrosis and new bone formation in the internal auditory canal.

Findings:

• Complete denervation of the vestibular labyrinth was observed, with preservation of the posterior semicircular canal crista.
• Fibrous and osteoid tissue filled the superior and lateral semicircular canals.
• The cochlear and facial nerves remained normal.

Implications:

• Severe degenerative changes in the vestibular labyrinth may alter the course of Meniere's disease.
• The surgical approach resulted in complete vertigo relief, tinnitus improvement, and hearing stabilization.
• These findings suggest potential biochemical mechanisms influencing Meniere's disease progression and treatment outcomes.