Inner ear perfusion and the role of round window patency.

Abstract

A significant rate of round window obstruction exists among patients who have no history of manipulation to this area. Although, intuitively, we would expect prior middle ear surgery to increase the likelihood of obstruction, this is not uniformly the outcome. If intratympanic instillation of a medication is contemplated for the treatment of an inner ear disorder, considerations for the evaluation of the round window should be made to enhance adequate diffusion into the perilymph.