Trauma-induced auditory nerve degeneration due to cerebellopontine (CP) angle manipulations: clinical and experimental experience

In order to investigate the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for trauma-induced hearing disturbances due to auditory nerve degeneration, we established for the first time a rat experimental model in which auditory nerve degeneration due to compression injury of the cerebellopontine (CP) angle portion of the auditory nerve can be quantitatively evaluated. In this paper, Ⅰ demonstrate our clinical experience in CP angle surgery and some of the results of our experiments performed onthis rat experimental model. Trauma-induced hearing loss in CP angle operations has long been regarded as a sort of unavoidable 'natural course'and therefore hopeless.I believe that this pessimistic view should be challenged and changed through new approaches in scientific research.

In order to investigate the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for trauma-induced hearing disturbances due to auditory nerve degeneration, we established for the first time a rat experimental model in which auditory nerve degeneration due to compression injury of the cerebellopontine (CP) angle portion of the auditory nerve can be quantitatively evaluated. In this paper, I demonstrate our clinical experience in CP angle surgery and some of the results of our experiments performed on this rat experimental model. Trauma-induced hearing loss in CP angle operations has long been regarded as a sort of unavoidable 'natural course' and therefore hopeless. I believe that this pessimistic view should be challenged and changed through new approaches in scientific research.