Lacerating injury in basilar membrane of guinea pig exposed to blast

Objective To observe the histological characteristics of injury to basilar membrane in guinea pig exposed to explosive blast waves and experimental blast underpressure.Methods The guinea pigs were respectively exposed to explosive blast waves or experimental blast underpressure.The basilar membranes in guinea pigs were observed by light microscope.Results Most of the outer hair cells were lost and lacerating injury was seen in the basilar membrane of guinea pigs in 8-24 h after exposure to explosive blast waves and experimental blast underpressure.Transverse and longitudinal lacerating injuries were seen in the second turn when the peak pressure of explosive blast waves and experimental blast underpressure respectively reached 121 kPa and-78.4 kPa.Transverse lacerating injuries covered from the IHC to the third row of OHC.Longitudinal lacerating injury was irregular and its length equaled to that of ten IHCs.Its width covered from the IHC to the second or third row of OHC.Conclusion The exposure to explosive blast waves and experimental blast underpressure may induce lacerating injuries in the basilar membrane of guinea pigs.