Middle ear overpressure treatment of endolymphatic hydrops in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs placed outside or inside a pressure chamber and exposed to 49.2 cm H2O overpressure continuously for 24 h immediately after blockage of the endolymphatic duct showed no significant difference in the magnitude of endolymphatic hydrops when compared to controls, although there was a slight indication of a volume decrease in the outside-treatment group and an increase in the inside-treatment group. A pressure increase of 49.2 cm H2O in the external auditory canal for 1 h twice a day for 2 weeks outside the chamber significantly inhibited the development of hydrops. The latter result supports the merit of pressure application through the external auditory canal as a treatment for Meniere's disease.