Histopathological cochlear changes induced by antimonial antibilharzial drugs

Sixteen normal guinea-pigs were injected by two different antimonial antibilharzial drugs (Stibophen NF and Bilharcid EP). Therapeutic doses of either drug produced hydropic degeneration in the hair and supporting cells of the organ of Corti. The pillar cells and the neurones of the spiral ganglion were not affected. Doubling the dosage produced atrophy of the organ of corti and its replacement by granular epithelioid cells. These antibilharzials carry a definite risk to the cochlear auditory elements aggravated by exceeding the therapeutic dosage.