Reissner's Membrane After Kanamycin Administration

Histochemical and electron microscopical changes of Reissner's membrane were observed following kanamycin administration. The number of acid-phosphatase-positive cells increased to approximately 400 in 1,500 epithelial cells. In normal cases, only three to four cells showed a positive reaction. Electron microscopically, the pathologic cells were classified into two types according to their cytoplasmic appearance—light cells and dark cells. In both types of pathologic cells, micropinocytotic vesicules were rarely observed. These pathologic findings lead to the speculation that Reissner's membrane after kanamycin administration may lose its ability to maintain the normal chemical composition of the perilymph and the endolymph.