The effect of round window membrane rupture on endolymphatic and perilymphatic pressures.

We used a guinea pig model to investigate the effect of round window membrane rupture on endolymphatic and perilymphatic pressures under conditions known to increase these pressures: anoxia, hypercapnia, increased intracranial pressure, and occlusion of the vein of the cochlear aqueduct. When the round window membrane was not ruptured, increases in endolymphatic pressure paralleled the perilymphatic pressure following exposure to each of the experimental conditions. After the round window membrane had been ruptured, however, no increases in perilymphatic pressure or endolymphatic pressure were seen. These results suggest that endolymphatic pressure is dependent on perilymphatic pressure, even when the round window membrane is ruptured.