Heat exchange in cryosurgery of Meniere's disease. Experimental and clinical studies.

The course of the temperature in the lateral semicircular canal and the heat exchange were measured on temporal-bone specimens when cooling with a cryoprobe on the lateral semicircular canal was performed. The measurements showed a correlation between the heat exchange, the cooling time and the temperature in the lateral semicircular canal. In 15 patients with unilateral Meniere's disease, this was utlized to achieve a controlled temperature course during cryosurgery on the lateral semicircular canal. The effect of the treatment on the attacks of vertigo and on the hearing in these patients is reported.