Viral culture and electron microscopy of ganglion cells in Meniere's disease and Bell's palsy

Abstract

Specimens of Scarpa's ganglion during vestibular neurectomy were obtained in 6 cases of Meniere's disease and specimens of geniculate ganglion in 2 cases of total facial nerve decompression and studied by tissue culture methods for detection of possible herpes and cytomegalovirus infection. In electron microscopy inclusions in the form of interwoven yarn-like structures, coarse aggregates of chromatin and light nuclear bodies were found in several vestibular ganglion cells. No typical herpes virus virions could be demonstrated. The culture for viruses all proved finally negative. At present there is no proof that viruses are present in Scarpa's or geniculate ganglions but the possibility remains that the inclusion bodies observed might be viruses inactivated inside the ganglion cells.