Hyperbaric compression in the guinea pig with perilymph fistula.

Abstract

The study goal was to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric therapy on the auditory and vestibular function of guinea pigs compromised by perilymph fistula (PLF). Twenty-four pigmented guinea pigs underwent induction of bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction before the creation of a unilateral PLF. Half of the animals were randomly assigned to receive immediate hyperbaric compression treatment of 4 "dives" each. Hearing was tested electrocochleographically, and signs of vestibulopathy were recorded before and after compression. After accounting for the effects of PLF, compression was not associated with significant hearing loss (P = 0.5411). Vestibulopathy was seen only in ears with PLF, and its incidence was similar for compression and noncompression groups. Hyperbaric compression does not compromise auditory or vestibular function in guinea pig ears with experimental PLF. Our observations support the relative safety of recompression in patients with PLF.