Histopathological findings in the inner ear caused by measles.

An otopathological analysis of three cases of viral labyrinthitis was performed. Six temporal bones cut in serial sections were available for this study. According to the degree of degenerative changes in various parts of the inner ear two types of morphologically distinct labyrinthitis after measles are presented: the first one with the port of entrance through the internal auditory meatus and characterized by, first and most significantly, changes in the spiral ganglion cells; and the second, as described previously by Lindsay, with the port of entrance of the virus in the inner ear through the stria vascularis, with degenerative changes in various structures within the endolymphatic duct.