Cochlear microcirculation in living guinea pigs following explosion

The cochlear microcirculation in living guinea pigs was observed, explosion was then imposed on the left ear and the velocity of blood cell flow and vessel diameters were measured within one hour. The results showed that: 1. there was an orderly stable movement of blood cells in all vascular beds under normal conditions; 2. the flow rate in both spiral ligament and stria vascularis increased promptly after explosion, that in the spiral ligament might return to normal within 30 minutes with vasodilatation, indicating increased blood supply early after explosion; 3. there was no relationship between changes in microcirculation and hearing loss and hair cell damage. The cause of hair cell damage and hearing loss were discussed and the techniques of vital microscopic studies of cochlear microcirculation assessed.