Search

Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are required to optimize medical exposure. However, data on DRLs for interventional fluoroscopic procedures are lacking, especially in gastroenterology. This study aimed to prospectively collect currently used radiation doses and help establish national DRLs for fluoroscopy-guided gastrointestinal procedures in Japan.

In the present work, casts of vessels surrounding the internal auditory canal of the guinea pig were subjected to scanning electron microscopic examination. Most casts were prepared by the resin-casting method using Mercox resin. The following results were obtained: 1) Individual variations and bilateral asymmetry were observed in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), which branches off the basilar artery (BA); 2) Frequently a loop the AICA was found in the CP-angle and internal auditory canal; 3) The internal auditory artery (IAA) did not always originate in AICA but sometimes arose directly from BA; 4) In common cochlear artery and anterior vestibular artery, there were individual differences and asymmetric branching patterns on both sides; 5) We conclude that inner ear disease of vascular origin may be influenced by individual variations in the BA and its branches.

Under scanning electron microscopy we measured the vessel diameters of every part of the inner ear in rats and guinea pigs with casting method using Mercox resin. There were only few errors in measurement values in the same part of the same vessel with this method. The vessels of the stria vascularis were much larger in diameter than any other capillaries in the lateral wall of the cochlea in the rat and especially in the guinea pig. It is suggested that the velocity of the blood flow in the stria vascularis is slow and that the stria vascularis can retain much blood. The anterior vestibular artery (AVA) was larger in diameter than the posterior vestibular artery (PVA). The AVA supplies the large area in the vestibule whereas the PVA supplies the small area.

The development of the inner ear vessels of guinea pigs were studied by SEM. Employing 32- to 55-gestational-day-old guinea pig embryos, corrosion casts of inner ear blood vessels were prepared using Mercox resin and then observed by scanning electron microscopy. Between the 35th and 40th gestational days, the vascular structure of the vestibule was sufficiently developed, but the capillary network in the wall of the cochlea remained immature. Thus, in the guinea pig, the development of the vestibular structure precedes the development of the cochlear vessels. Moreover, at both sites, the density of the embryonic blood vessels was high, and the vessels were believed to transport a large blood flow. From about the 40th day of gestation, the coiled vessels and the capillary network in the lateral wall of the cochlea underwent rapid development, and the vascular structure in both the vestibule and cochlea was nearly complete by the time of birth.

The influence of noise exposure on endolymphatic hydrops was examined morphologically. Endolymphatic hydrops was produced experimentally in guinea pigs by means of endolymphatic sac obliteration. Approximately 2 months later, the animals were subjected to noise exposure for 2 h and, as a result, the following findings were obtained: Vascular and circulatory disturbances in the 3rd and 4th turns of cochlea, i.e., vasoconstriction-like changes in the upper coiled arterioles and capillaries in the stria vascularis, as well as blood cell sludge. In addition, the outer hair cells in Corti's organ at the same turns disappeared sporadically. No changes were observed in the opposite, control, ear of the same animal which was free from endolymphatic hydrops. On the basis of these results, it is argued that endolymphatic hydropic ears are highly vulnerable to noise exposure.

In order to investigate the blood flow of the tympanic membrane (TM) in various conditions, the microvasculature of the TM was observed by scanning electron microscope, using casting methods. Differences in vascular patterns between pars tensa and pars flaccida were observed, suggesting that vascular distribution in TM is closely concerned with the arrangement of radial fibers in the intermediate fibrous layer. Once inflammation was induced, changes in blood vessels quickly took place and most remarkably at the central zone of TM. The TM which closed earlier was found to leak resin at the edge of the perforation. It is proposed that an active blood flow to the perforation edge is necessary for a smooth closing.

In this study, scanning electron microscopic observations were made of the microvasculature of the larynx of guinea pigs, rabbits and humans. The results showed that 1) The epiglottis being the most abundant of all laryngeal structures in vascular plexus, with some of the vessels perforating cartilage; 2) Blood vessels of the vocal cord course along its long axis showing undulation; arteriovenous anastomoses was noted; 3) In the arytenoid, blood vessels were found to be irregularly coursing and tortuous, thereby facilitating the purpose of smooth movements of this structure.