Related Experiment Videos
Endolymphatic hydrops in children
1Department of Otolaryngology, Universität Regensburg, Germany.
Insights
Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) was found in 16.9% of pediatric temporal bones, often linked to a collapsed ductus reuniens. Congenital anomalies increased EH incidence in children.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Histology
Background:
- Ménière's disease is primarily observed clinically, with limited histological data on endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in children.
- Previous studies have not extensively documented the incidence of EH in pediatric temporal bones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in the temporal bones of children.
- To investigate potential contributing factors to EH development, such as ductus reuniens obliteration.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy analysis of 118 temporal bones from 70 infants (newborn to 10 years).
- EH defined as bulging of Reissner's membrane in more than one cochlear turn.
- Examination of endolymph spaces and ductus reuniens for contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) was diagnosed in 16.9% of pediatric temporal bones.
- A bulging of Reissner's membrane was observed in 54.2% of bones, but only 16.9% met EH criteria.
- A collapsed ductus reuniens was found in 49.2% of temporal bones, potentially contributing to EH.
Conclusions:
- Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) occurs in a significant proportion of pediatric temporal bones.
- A collapsed ductus reuniens may play a role in the development of EH.
- EH incidence was higher in cases with congenital anomalies, though not linked to a specific disease.
Abstract:
Apart from clinical observations of Ménière's disease in children, there have only been a few histological descriptions of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) as an incidental finding in children. In this paper we report on the incidence of EH in temporal bones of children. One hundred eighteen temporal bones from 70 infants between newborn and 10 years (average age 12.9 months) were analyzed by light microscopy for EH of the cochlear duct, which was defined as a bulging of Reissner's membrane into the scala vestibuli in more than one turn of the cochlea. All endolymph spaces were carefully examined for factors such as an obliterated ductus reuniens which may have contributed to the development of EH. In 64 (54.2%) of the 118 temporal bones, a bulging of Reissner's membrane in the cochlear duct was found. In 65.6%, the bulging was confined to the apical turn and since the significance of isolated apical hydrops is controversial, we elected not to consider this group as having hydrops. Twenty (16.9%) bones met our criteria for a diagnosis of EH. Compared to the high incidence of bulging in the cochlear duct, fewer saccules and utricles were dilated. In approximately half of the temporal bones (49.2%), the ductus reuniens was collapsed. The ductus reuniens seems to be closed in its normal position and might open when pressure occurs due to an increasing volume of endolymph. If there is a permanent closure, EH may result. Our investigation does not indicate that EH is associated with a specific disease; however, where there were congenital anomalies the incidence of EH was higher.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)