AI Article Synopsis

  • Sonoporation using ultrasound and microbubbles enhances the delivery of therapeutic molecules across biological barriers, specifically targeting the inner ear via the round window membrane.
  • A study assessing the safety of this method in six ewes found no hearing loss or harmful heating effects after the procedure.
  • Metabolomic analysis showed no significant differences in perilymph samples between treated and control ears, indicating that sonoporation is safe for the inner ear.

Article Abstract

Sonoporation using microbubble-assisted ultrasound increases the permeability of a biological barrier to therapeutic molecules. Application of this method to the round window membrane could improve the delivery of therapeutics to the inner ear. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of sonoporation of the round window membrane in a sheep model. To achieve this objective, we assessed auditory function and cochlear heating, and analysed the metabolomics profiles of perilymph collected after sonoporation, comparing them with those of the control ear in the same animal. Six normal-hearing ewes were studied, with one sonoporation ear and one control ear for each. A mastoidectomy was performed on both ears. On the sonoporation side, Vevo MicroMarker microbubbles (MBs; VisualSonics-Fujifilm, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) at a concentration of 2 × 10 MB/mL were locally injected into the middle ear and exposed to 1.1 MHz sinusoidal ultrasonic waves at 0.3 MPa negative peak pressure with 40% duty cycle and 100 μs interpulse period for 1 min; this was repeated three times with 1 min between applications. The sonoporation protocol did not induce any hearing impairment or toxic overheating compared with the control condition. The metabolomic analysis did not reveal any significant metabolic difference between perilymph samples from the sonoporation and control ears. The results suggest that sonoporation of the round window membrane does not cause damage to the inner ear in a sheep model.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9964975PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020442DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

round window
16
window membrane
16
sonoporation round
12
sheep model
12
sonoporation
9
membrane sheep
8
inner ear
8
control ear
8
ears sonoporation
8
ear
6

Similar Publications

Purpose: Cochlear implantation (CI) surgery is essential for restoring hearing in individuals with severe sensorineural hearing loss. Accurate placement of the electrode within the cochlea is essential for successful auditory outcomes and minimizing complications. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the round window niche (RWN) alignment, its visibility during surgery, and the impact on surgical techniques and outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: We evaluated the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) computed tomography (CT)-like sequences compared to normal-resolution CT (NR-CT) and super-high-resolution CT (SHR-CT) for planning of cochlear implantation.

Methods: Six cadaveric temporal bone specimens were used. 3-T MRI scans were performed using radial volumetric interpolated breath-hold (STARVIBE), pointwise-encoding time reduction with radial acquisition (PETRA), and ultrashort time of echo (UTE) sequences.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Middle ear biofilm and sudden deafness - a light and transmission electron microscopy study.

Front Neurol

December 2024

Department of Surgical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: There still exists controversy about whether the healthy human middle ear mucosa is sterile or if it may harbor a diverse microbiome. Considering the delicacy of the human round window membrane (RWM), different mechanisms may exist for avoiding inner ear pathogen invasion causing sensorineural deafness. We re-analyzed archival human RWMs using light and transmission electron microscopy after decalcification to determine if bacteria are present in clinically normal human middle ears.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Cochlear implant array malpositioning is associated with impaired speech perception, vertigo, and facial nerve stimulation. Tip fold-over is a subset of malpositioning that occurs more often with perimodiolar electrodes, but historically it has not been characterized due to lack of knowledge regarding electrode movements of the electrode within the cochlea. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanics of tip fold-over events and their associated insertion pressure profiles.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Radio-clinical assessment of crista fenestra during pediatric cochlear implantation.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol

December 2024

Otorhinolaryngology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the ability of preoperative computed tomography (CT) to predict the crista fenestra (CF) type during cochlear implantation and correlate these types with intraoperative findings. This may allow for precise preoperative planning with better surgical outcomes.

Study Design: A prospective observational study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!