Are vestibular sensory cells preserved after destruction of Scarpa's ganglion? A study based on metastatic tumors of temporal bone.

OBJECTIVE

The contribution of nerve fibers to the maintenance of vestibular sensory cells is a controversial issue in previous studies using animals and has not yet been studied in humans. The authors investigated this issue by observing vestibular end organs in the temporal bone of three patients in whom the internal auditory canal was infiltrated with tumor cells, and Scarpa's ganglion cells showed complete degeneration.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case review.

SETTING

University Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology.

PATIENTS

Three patients with malignant metastatic temporal bone tumors.

INTERVENTION

We investigated the preservative state of vestibular sensory hair cells with the Scalpa's ganglion was destructed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Maintenances of vestibular sensory hair cells.

RESULTS

We found that sensory cells were intact despite the severe destruction of Scarpa's ganglion cells in two of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that human vestibular sensory cells can be maintained for an indefinite period after denervation.