Immunohistopathological observatin of endolymphatic sacs of Meniere's disease

During the endolymphatic sac shunt surgery for 37 cases of Meniere's disease (including 2 cases of syphilitic endolymphatic hydrops), 21 endolymphatic sac specimens were collected for immunohistopathological observation. These specimens were fixed in cold 95% alcohol, emmbeded in paraffin and processed for immunohistopathological study. They were then stained with FITC labeled goat-antihuman IgG, JgM, IgA and gamma globulin. Four specimens out of 21 showed positive finding in the immunofluorecent study and one showed brown pigmentation in the light microscopic study. One of 4 specimens, which displayed positive finding in the immunofluorecent study, showed ring structure of 3 layers. Outer layer was stained with IgM, middle layer with IgG and inner layer with IgA. This structure resembles a occuluded capillary vessel.