Stapes anomaly and cochlear sensory cell changes. A scanning electron microscope study.

This paper reports the pathological findings in the cochleae of a 66-year-old man examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Columella-shaped stapes, which were the only anomalous changes in the middle ear cleft, were found in both ears. Beside this, giant hair formation and fusion of stereocilia in the inner sensory cells were also observed in the apical part of the lower basal turn. Since the patient had no history of ototoxic drug use or other ear disease episodes, it is suggested that these inner hair cell changes might have been caused by the conductive disorder accompanying the stapes anomaly. Giant hair formation was discussed from the inner ear findings of 14 other cases examined by a SEM.