The inner ear fluids in man

The microchemical analysis of human inner ear fluid has not only advanced our knowledge of inner ear function in normal and pathological states, but also has added another dimension to our diagnostic armamentarium in inner ear disease. The purpose of this thesis is

• 1 To review and evaluate all pertinent literature concerning the chemistry of human inner ear fluids.
• 2 To determine what percentage of inner ear fluids can be collected without contamination by hemolyzed cells (hemoglobin) or erythrocytes.
• 3 To study the glucose concentrations in human inner ear fluid in various pathological states.
• 4 To present the data from uncontaminated endolymph samples in Ménière's disease.
• 5 To study the correlation between the clinical picture of acoustic neurinoma and the results of inner ear fluid analysis.
• 6 To evaluate the present status of diagnostic labyrinthotomy (labyrinthine tap).