PERMEABILITY OF ROUND WINDOW MEMBRANE AND ITS CHANGES BY PANTOCAIN (TETRACAIN)

Normally the thorotrast particles could not reach the scala tympani through the epithelial cells of round window, they were taken into the cells by means of phagocytosis and remained within the cells. The intercellular spaces of the epithelial cells that facing the middle ear region were closed by zonulae occludentes. Thorotrast particles, therefore, could not penetrate into the intercellular spaces. After applying pantocain (1%) the epithelial cells showed considerable damage and the round window membrane became permeable to thorotrast. The epithelial cells of round window after being damaged by pantocain recovered within 3-4 weeks. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.