ABSTRACT
Objective: To study quantitative changes of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion cells after blast exposure in guinea pigs. Methods: The number of hair cells was calculated using the surface specimen technique and computer image analysis technique after blast exposure. The number of spiral ganglion cells was calculated using pathologic technique and computer image analysis technique after blast exposure. Results: Quantitative observation was carried out 21 days after blast exposure. The number of total hair cells in uncus, the first and second gyre in normal control group and in blast group was 3 599?159.6 and 6 022?98.4 respectively, and the number of spiral ganglion cells in the 2 low parts of cochlear in normal control group and in blast group was 51? 4.72 and 27? 6.94 respectively, the difference in mean value between the groups being significant. Conclusion: Not only the hair cells reduce, but also the spiral ganglion cells are severely damaged after blast exposure. [
