Early Degenerative Changes in the Inner Ear Sensory Cells of the Guinea Pig Following Local X-Ray Irradiation: A Preliminary Report

X-ray irradiation in single doses was applied to the inner ear of guinea pigs. The organ of Corti and the vestibular end organs were examined by light microscopy using the surface specimen technique proposed by Engstrom. A characteristic pattern of degeneration was found. The outer hair cells of the two basal coils of the cochlea were extensively degenerated, whereas the outer hair cells of the two apical coils and the inner hair cells were intact. In the vestibular end organ sensory cells of the periphery of the cristae ampullares and the maculae utriculi and sacculi proved to be more vulnerable than those of the central parts. A preliminary report of an electronmicroscopic study of the early degenerative changes is given.