Review: morphological changes associated with endolymphatic hydrops

Abstract

Endolymphatic hydrops of the inner ear is identified as a swelling of the endolymphatic spaces. This morphopathology in man can only be confirmed at post-mortem examination although it is believed to underlie the auditory dysfunction and vestibular disturbances associated with Menière's disease. This is an illusive inner ear disorder characterized typically by the fluctuant hearing loss, tinnitus and episodes of vertigo. Menière's disease remains a major problem in otorhinolaryngology since the cause of the disease is not known and various treatments are recommended, often with unsatisfactory results. Experimentally induced endolymphatic hydrops in the animal model has been developed in order to understand better the consequences of this morphopathology on inner ear structure and function. Further investigations on the model might, in the future, lead to a more efficient management of the disorder.