Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A cochlear vascular anomaly in a patient with hearing loss and tinnitus

Gefäßanomalie der Cochlea bei einem Patienten mit Hörverlust und Ohrensausen

  • Published:
Archives of oto-rhino-laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Zusammenfassung

Bericht über einen ungewöhnlichen Verlauf eines Blutgefäßes in der Cochlea eines Patienten. Das Gefäß zog von der Lamina spiralis ossea unter Durchquerung der Scala tympani bis zur lateralen Wand des Ductus perilymphaticus. In der Region dieses abnorm verlaufenden Gefäßes fand sich ein völliger Haarzellverlust. Beim Patienten bestand während des Lebens ein Hörverlust vor allem bei 2000 Hz mit Ohrensausen.

Summary

An unusual blood vessel in the cochlea of a patient is reported. The blood vessel derives from the osseous lamina spiralis and crosses straight through the scala tympani toward the lateral wall of the perilymphatic duct. In its course a branch derives from this vessel toward the other spiral vessel. In the region of this aberrant vessel a complete hair-cell loss is present. A high tone perceptive loss with a relative dip and tinnitus was found in the same ear during life. The possible cause and effects of this aberrant vessel are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Axelsson A (1968) The vascular anatomy of the cochlea in the guinea pig and in man. Acta Otolaryngol [Suppl] (Stockh) 243

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelsson A (1971) The cochlear blood vessels in guinea pig of different ages. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 72: 172–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelsson A (1974) The vascular anatomy of the rhesus monkey cochlea. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 77: 381–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelsson A, Lind A (1973) The capillary areas in the rabbit cochlea. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 76: 254–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelsson A, Lipscomb D (1975) The vascular pattern of the chinchilla cochlea. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 79: 352–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins JE, Jr, Johnsson LG (1975) Microdissection and surface preparations of the inner ear. In: Smith CA, Vernon JA (eds) Handbook of auditory and vestibular research methods. Thomas, Springfield IL, pp 5–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Hornstrand C, Axelsson A, Vertes D (1980) The vascular anatomy of the rat cochlea. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 89: 1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsson LG (1971) Degenerative Veränderungen im alternden Innenohr, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der vasculären Veränderungen, in Flächenpräparaten der menschlichen Cochlea dargestellt. Arch Klin Exp Ohren-Nasen-Kehlkopfheilkd 200: 318–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsson LG (1972) Cochlear blood vessel pattern in the human fetus and postnatal vascular in-volution. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 81: 22–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsson LG, Hawkins JE, Jr (1972a) Sensory and neural degeneration with aging as seen in microdissection of the human inner ear. Ann Otolaryngol 81: 179–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsson LG, Hawkins JE, Jr (1972b) Vascular changes in the human ear associated with aging. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 81: 364–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsson LG, Hawkins JE, Jr (1976) Degeneratic patterns in human ears exposed to noise. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 85: 725–739

    Google Scholar 

  • Maass B (1969) Quantitative Angaben zur Gefäßversorgung der Stria Vascularis beim Meerschweinchen. Z Laryngol Rhinol Otol 48: 733–753

    Google Scholar 

  • Miodonski A, Hodde KC, Kús J (1978) Scanning electron microscopy of the cochlear vasculature. Arch Otolaryngol 104: 313–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Polvogt LM, Crowe SJ (1937) Anomalies of the cochlea in patients with normal hearing. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 46: 579–591

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuknecht HF (1974) Pathology of the ear. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp 111–127, 302–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Tange RA, Huizing EH (1980) Hearing loss and inner ear changes in a patient with severe gentamicin ototoxicity. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 228: 113–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward PH, Lindsay JR (1964) Technique for acquiring and preparing human temporal bones for the study of the middle and inner ear pathology. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 69: 345–350

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff D (1935) Anomalous capillary plexus in the scala tympani. Arch Otolaryngol 22: 44–50

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital „Dijkzigt”, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, NL-3015, GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    R. A. Tange & J. L. Bernard

Authors
  1. R. A. Tange
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. L. Bernard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by grants from the Heinsius Houbolt Foundation

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tange, R.A., Bernard, J.L. A cochlear vascular anomaly in a patient with hearing loss and tinnitus. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 233, 117–125 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00453635

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00453635

Schlüsselwörter

Key words

Search

Navigation