[Scarpa's ganglion with increasing age, in Menière's disease and otosclerosis (author's transl)].

A quantitative study of primary vestibular neurons was performed in temporal bones of individuals at different ages. The mean numbers of counts decreased beginning in the age group between 50 and 60 years. Neuronal populations from cases with Menière disease and otosclerosis were compared to the respective "normal" values. Endolymphatic hydrops could be excluded as the cause of degeneration of Scarpa's ganglion in Menière' disease. In cases of otosclerosis reduced neuronal counts were found if lesions were large enough to include the cribrose areas.