Document Detail


The vein of the vestibular aqueduct with potential pathologic perspectives.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18199960     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
HYPOTHESIS: Pathologic changes around the vein of the vestibular aqueduct (VVA) may cause obstruction to the flow of blood toward the sigmoid sinus. Furthermore, a distal obstruction of this vessel may be responsible for a development of a retrograde flow of blood with concomitant drainage of endolymphatic sac (ES) substances to the inner ear. BACKGROUND: The VVA is responsible for the venous drainage of the vestibular apparatus and endolymphatic duct and ES. Previous studies have linked the VVA to Ménière's disease. The aim of the present article was a 3-dimensional perspective study of the VVA with its adjacent anatomic structures. METHODS: In 14 rats, the VVA was examined by 3-dimensional reconstruction of 2-microm serial sections, corrosion cast technique, and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: From the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct, the VVA is interposed between the ES and the operculum. Three to 4 collecting venules from the ES drain into the VVA. The VVA merges at an oblique angle with the sigmoid sinus. CONCLUSION: The VVA courses near the ES, operculum, and sigmoid sinus and is potentially vulnerable to expanding structures in the cranial posterior fossa. The possible role of the VVA for the function of the ES under normal and pathologic conditions is discussed.
Authors:
Morten Friis; Mads Sølvsten Sørensen; Klaus Qvortrup
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology     Volume:  29     ISSN:  1531-7129     ISO Abbreviation:  Otol. Neurotol.     Publication Date:  2008 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-01-17     Completed Date:  2008-02-25     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100961504     Medline TA:  Otol Neurotol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  73-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet, and Department of Biomedical Sciences, The Panum Institute, Inner Ear Research Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. morten_friis@hotmail.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Male
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Regional Blood Flow / physiology
Tissue Fixation
Veins / pathology*
Venules / pathology
Vestibular Aqueduct / blood supply*,  pathology*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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