Effect of ethacrynic acid on the stria vascularis.

The stria vascularis of young albino guinea pigs was examined by scanning electron microscopy at intervals of 30, 60, and 240 minutes after the intracardiac administration of ethacrynic acid (70 mg/kg). Results from this study showed that the appearance of large intercellular spaces in the intermediate region of the stria vascularis was due to acute separation of these cells rather than atrophy, as described by previous investigators. It was probable that these spaces were due to an accumulation of extracellular fluid. In some marginal cells, extrusions of cytoplasm into the endolymphatic space were noted in the 240-minute group of animals. The importance of these extrusions is not apparent at this time.