Immunohistochemical findings in the vestibular ganglion from a patient with Menière's disease

Immunofluorescent staining techniques were performed on a series of cryostat sections of the vestibular ganglion taken during ganglionectomy from a patient with Menière's disease. The direct technique using FITC-labelled antiserum proved the presence of immunoglobulins in the patient's blood vessels and endoneural connective tissue. Preincubation with unlabelled antiserum blocked this reaction. An additional positive reaction of ganglion cells was demonstrated by incubating tissue with the patient's serum. These findings prove antibodies in the patient's serum against the autologous ganglion cells. The vestibular ganglion from a patient with dizziness following a skull base fracture served as a control specimen. No autoimmune reaction was found in the ganglion cells when incubation was carried out with the patient's serum. A positive reaction in the blood vessels and connective tissue was less pronounced. The findings of the present study underline the occurrence of immunological reactions in the vestibular ganglion of patients with Menière's disease. A subsequent degeneration of ganglion cells could provoke clinical Menière's attacks.