STEREOCILIA-LIKE STRUCTURES IN THE ENDOLYMPHATIC SAC IN MENIERES-DISEASE AND ACOUSTIC NEUROMA

The vestibular aqueduct was surgically removed in 3 patients undergoin g labyrinthectomy due to severe Meniere's disease (MD). Stereocilia-li ke structures were found in the luminal contents of the endolymphatic sac (ES) in all of these patients. The ES from 18 patients with acoust ic neuroma were used as controls. In 1 of these, numerous stereocilia- like structures were found in the ES and in 3 additional patients, a f ew isolated cilia-like structures were disclosed. The findings may sug gest an ongoing hair cell degeneration in the inner ear that is more a dvanced in patients with MD. The data also suggest that the endolympha tic duct is patent and that a longitudinal flow of endolymph also occu rs in patients with MD.