Analysis of the Damage Mechanism Related to CO₂ Laser Cochleostomy on Guinea Pig Cochlea

Figure 3

SEM image of the basal turn of a cochlea immediately after applying CO₂ laser irradiation. (a) Image of the basal turn in the control group. The stereocilia and cuticular plates of the inner and outer hair cells and supporting cells showed a normal configuration. OHC1: first line of the outer hair cells; OHC2: second line of the outer hair cells; OHC3: third line of the outer hair cells; IHC: inner hair cells. Scale bar: 30 μm. (b) Image of the basal turn after applying 10 W CO₂ laser irradiation. Most of the outer hair cells had collapsed and derangements of the stereocilia were observed. Parts of the cells were missing, particularly in the third row of the outer hair cells (OHC3) in the basal turn (arrow), but the inner hair cells showed a normal configuration. Scale bar: 30 μm.

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