Methodological aspects for the study of cochlear blood vessels

The cochlear blood supply has been evaluated with respect to different vascular parameters, some of which include the density of red blood cells in the lumen, the manner in which the blood corpuscles pass the lumen, and so on. Studies in which specific aspects of the cochlear blood vessel histology are studied in all cochlear vessels have not previously been accomplished. Usually conclusions about the condition of the blood supply are drawn on gross vascular changes occurring in a few isolated vessels. It is suggested that the systematic study of these or similar vascular parameters in all the regularly occurring cochlear vessels is necessary in order to specify the condition of the blood supply following noise or ototoxic drug treatment. The adaptation of morphometric and computerized techniques to the study of the cochlear vasculature is suggested.