A technique to obtain and process surgical specimens of the human vestibular aqueduct for histopathological studies of the endolymphatic duct and sac.

ABSTRACT

The endolymphatic sac (ES) may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of Ménière's disease. This paper presents a technique to obtain and process fresh human specimens of the endolymphatic duct (ED) and the presumably more active intraosseous portion of the ES obtained at surgery. The specimens are preserved with an intact bony shell around the ED and the intraosseous ES. This allows ultrastructural histopathological evaluation of the intraluminal contents, the epithelium and the subepithelial tissue as well as the mutual relationships of these structures. Various factors influencing ES ultrastructure are discussed. The results obtained from this method may increase our understanding of the possible role of the ES in the etiology of different inner ear disorders.