Early Morphof unctional Alterations Induced by Cisplatin in the Cochlea

The early morphological and functional alterations of the cochlea were studied in guinea pigs treated with cisplatin, administered to two groups of animals as a single dose of 4 or 10 mg/kg body weight. Morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and functional alterations were investigated by electrocochleography to record compound action potentials. Statistically significant alterations in neurosensory stereocilia, consisting of partial or total denudation, were observed only after the experimental administration of the higher dose of cisplatin; these changes were consistently associated with distortions in the compound action potential.