Microscopic characteristics of round window problems in otology

Round window membrane ruptures and perilymph leakage can present the complication or concomitant of sudden deafness and barotrauma. Pathological involvement of the round window membrane can occur in many otological diseases such as otosclerosis, otitis media, tumors, etc. Microscopic manipulations might result in an inadvertent round window membrane lesion and cochlear deafness. In recent years purposeful surgical lesions, including procedures for vertigo and cochlear implant surgery, are being made in the round window membrane. Examples of pathology involving the round window in human temporal bones are described. To understand better the clinical features of early round window rupture in humans, controlled punctuate lesions were made in 36 chinchilla ears and studied sequentially. Round window membrane healing occurred as early as 3 days post-lesion, and was complete in all ears but 1 of the combined 7, 9 and 11-day group. Healing occurred primarily as a result of middle ear epithelial ingrowth and mesothelial cell reaction in the adjacent perilymphatic space of the scala tympani. These cellular events are described and discussed from an histological and clinical point of view.