Temporal bone histopathology associated with occlusion of vertebrobasilar arteries

We have presented the histological findings in the inner ear of a patient who experienced occlusion of the vertebral and basilar arteries 17 days before death. A large infarction was observed in the medulla and pons on the right side. There was severe degenerative change in the right membranous labyrinth as well as in the right cochlear and vestibular nerves, which was presumably caused by ischemia from occlusion of the right labyrinthine artery. The organ of Corti and sensory epithelia of the vestibular labyrinth showed the most advanced state of degeneration. The histopathological appearance was similar to that observed in the subacute stage following obstruction of the labyrinthine arteries in animal experiments.