Oval and round window membrane changes in otitis media in the human. An ultrastructural study

• Published in: Acta oto-laryngologica Vol. 115; no. 2; p. 282
• Main Author: Goycoolea, M V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1995
• Subjects: Adult; Culture Techniques; Ear, Middle - physiopathology; Ear, Middle - ultrastructure; Epithelium - ultrastructure; Humans; Middle Aged; Otitis Media - physiopathology; Oval Window, Ear - physiopathology; Oval Window, Ear - ultrastructure; Round Window, Ear - physiopathology; Round Window, Ear - ultrastructure; Stapes - physiopathology; Stapes - ultrastructure
• ISSN: 0001-6489; 1651-2251
• DOI: 10.3109/00016489509139310

An ultrastructural study of oval and round window changes in otitis media in humans was done. Ten cases were evaluated. In this first ultrastructural study of oval and round windows in otitis media, done at different stages of the disease, the round window membrane changes were similar to those of the mucoperiostium. Morphologic evidence suggests that the round window membrane layers participate in absorption and secretion of substances to and from the inner ear, such that the entire membrane could play a role in a middle and inner ear "defense system." Although the middle ear side of the footplate of the stapes had histopathological changes, the vestibular side remained essentially unchanged.