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Ethanol infiltration into the stapedio-vestibular joint reduces low-frequency vibration of the ossicular chain and round window membrane in the guinea pig

Abstract Background: The synovial stapedio-vestibular joint (SVJ), which serves as a bridge between the stape and oval window, can be found in guinea pigs and most human adults. Unlike the fibrous SVJs in other animals, the contribution of the synovial SVJ to middle ear sound transmission remains unknown. Aims/objectives: In this study, we investigate whether sclerosis of the synovial SVJ contributes to frequency-dependent vibration of the ossicular chain and round window membrane (RWM). Materials and methods: A model of SVJ sclerosis model was established in the guinea pig using 75% ethanol. A laser Doppler vibrometer was then used to measure vibrations of the RWM and the long process of the incus (LPI) under pure tone sound stimulations of 0.25–16 kHz. The influence of SVJ sclerosis was analysed by comparing structural vibration displacement between the normal and sclerosis groups. Results: Both LPI and RWM vibrations significantly decreased at low frequencies after infiltration of ethanol, which caused SVJ sclerosis. Conclusions: SVJ sclerosis reduces low-frequency vibration of the ossicular chain and RWM in the guinea pig, which indicates that the synovial SVJ is vital to low-frequency sound transmission in the middle ear. Significance: Providing useful data for further research regarding middle ear biomechanics.