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Biomedical subjects

M M Paparella

Publications and source records attributed to M M Paparella.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cytokeratin patterns of normal middle ear epithelia in humans, cats, and chinchillas.

We describe the cytokeratin patterns of epithelia from the tympanic orifice, tympanic cavity, and mastoid cavity of humans, cats, and chinchillas, and compare these findings with those of tracheal epithelium and external canal epidermis. Our findings are as follows: 1) middle ear epithelium from all locations demonstrates some type of cytokeratin staining, 2) broad-spectrum cytokeratin antibodies stain epithelia of middle ear cleft, tracheal epithelium, and external canal epidermis in all species, 3) specific cytokeratin antibodies reveal species-related differences in middle ear and tracheal epithelia, 4) middle ear and tracheal epithelia usually have the same pattern, and 5) none of the monospecific cytokeratin antibodies have a positive reaction with external canal epidermis. These findings suggest that the cytokeratin patterns of middle ear epithelium are useful in studying the hyperplastic and metaplastic changes in otitis media; however, caution must be exercised when making interspecies comparisons.

Animals↗

New developments in treating otitis media.

Treatment of otitis media has changed over time as the disease has become better understood and as clinical experience and technology have expanded and grown. Successful treatment depends on accurate definitions and classifications of types of otitis media. An awareness of the pathogenic and pathologic correlates of otitis media enhances accurate diagnosis and improves the results of treatment. An understanding of the otitis media continuum also assists in management. On the basis of studies largely emanating from the University of Minnesota's Otitis Media Pathogenesis Research Program, we here highlight definitions, classifications, and diagnosis of the otitis medias, and medical treatments of these various clinical and pathologic entities and their sequelae.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Surgical advances in treating otitis media.

Surgical methods of treating otitis media and its sequelae are discussed, according to the classification of otitis media presented in an earlier report. Surgical management of otitis media with effusion and recurrent purulent otitis media includes myringotomy and use of ventilation tubes. Occasionally, otitis media with effusion will lead to structural and other pathologic changes in the middle ear, and conservative treatments such as use of medication or tubes will not suffice. Indications and methods for exploratory tympanotomy and reconstruction of the middle ear are discussed. In such instances, tympanoplasty can be used to the patient's benefit. Chronic otitis media with mastoiditis, defined by the presence of intractable pathologic tissue, generally requires surgical correction. Classic methods include simple mastoidectomy, modified radical (Bondy) mastoidectomy, and radical mastoidectomy. Current classifications of procedures would also include closed-cavity tympanomastoidectomy, open-cavity tympanomastoidectomy, and intact-bridge tympanomastoidectomy (a combined approach). The diagnostic and surgical approach to silent or subclinical otitis media is discussed. Diagnosis and treatment of sequelae of otitis media, including sequelae in the middle ear and, less commonly, in the inner ear, are discussed.

Ear Ossicles↗

Prevalence of facial canal dehiscence and of persistent stapedial artery in the human middle ear: a report of 1000 temporal bones.

A total of 1000 temporal bones were used to study the prevalence of facial canal dehiscence and of persistent stapedial artery in detail. Of the temporal bones studied, 560 (56%) contained at least one facial canal dehiscence. There was a 76.3% prevalence of bilaterality of this canal wall gap. The most common site of dehiscence was the oval window area. The concept of microdehiscence of the facial canal is introduced. One third of the temporal bones observed had a microdehiscence of the facial canal, usually located at the oval window area (74.9%) and found bilaterally 40% of the time. The authors found a 0.48% prevalence (5 out of 1045) of persistent stapedial artery. This is the first histological study of temporal bones to report a prevalence of this vascular anomaly.

Adolescent↗

The temporal bone in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease of the skeleton. Anatomically, any bone may ultimately come to be involved in a given case. In a literature review, no published series of temporal bone findings have been reported. In this study, oto-histopathologic changes associated with multiple myeloma are analyzed and reported in 15 temporal bones from 8 patients. The bone marrow of 13 temporal bones was involved by the tumor. Osteolysis was evident in 11 temporal bones. Serous otitis media (SOM) or purulent otitis media (POM) was seen in 13 ears with 12 showing mastoid effusions. Eight ears exhibited pathological changes in inner ears, including degeneration of the organ of Corti, atrophy of stria vascularis, decreased ganglion cells, and labyrinthine hydrops. The inner ear changes were most severe in 2 patients who had otologic symptoms. Infiltration of myeloma cells was not apparent in the middle ear mucosa or the inner ears.

Aged↗

Prevalence of microfissures in the human temporal bone: a report of 1000 temporal bones.

A total of 1000 human temporal bones were studied to determine the prevalence of two microfissures: 1. the one between the facial canal and the vestibule, 2. the microfissure between the round window niche (RWN) and the posterior semicircular canal (PSC). Additionally, this study compares the prevalence according to temporal bone age and sex. The microfissure between the facial canal and the vestibule was observed in 470 (47%) temporal bones, with a bilateral presence of 77.2%. The prevalence of this microfissure increases linearly with age. It was not found in any bone within the 0 to 2 age group. It was present in 3 (7.3%) bones from the 2 to 9 age group, as opposed to 374 (54.8%) bones from the 40 and over group. The microfissure between the RWN and the PSC was detected in 915 (91.5%) temporal bones. This second microfissure was found to be an overwhelmingly bilateral entity. The prevalence of this other microfissure also increases with age. This microfissure was also not present in any temporal bone within the 0 to 2 age group. It was found in 28 (68.3%) bones from the 2 to 9 age group, in contrast to 678 (99.4%) temporal bones from the 40+ group.

Adolescent↗

Otitis media (silent): a potential cause of childhood meningitis.

Sixteen temporal bones from 8 infants with otitis media, who died of meningitis, and 6 controls from infants with only otitis media, were studied histologically. All bones contained middle ear effusion and residual mesenchyme, but, unlike the controls, the meningitic cases showed considerable histopathological tissue changes of chronic and acute otitis media and chronic inflammatory cells in the round window membrane and within the perilymph, the modiolus, and the cochlear aqueduct, suggesting the latter as likely portals from the inner ear to the meninges. Since all tympanic membranes were intact and 3 were histologically normal, this silent route of infection warrants medical vigilance.

Acute Disease↗

Endolymphatic sac enhancement.

Endolymphatic sac enhancement surgery has proved, over the last several decades, to be a conservative and relatively safe procedure for patients in whom extensive empirical medical therapy has failed. The operation can usually be done as an outpatient procedure or with a one-night postoperative stay, and it has relatively low morbidity. Up to 90% of patients exhibit significant improvement of their episodic vertigo after the operation. Destructive procedures such as labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy are reserved for rare cases of failure of the endolymphatic sac enhancement and are not offered to patients as a primary surgical alternative. Wide decompression of the mastoid and sigmoid sinus is of paramount importance in achieving an adequate endolymphatic sac enhancement. At the end of the operation, meticulous attention should be given to cleaning bone dust and debris from the wound and to stopping all bleeding and bony oozing. Wide opening of the posterior aditus and facial recess is usually necessary to prevent postoperative aditus block. In the postoperative period, scrupulous attention should be given to wound healing; if infection develops in the wound, aggressive antibiotic therapy should be administered to prevent labyrinthitis that could result in deafness.

Endolymphatic Sac↗

Pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.

In spite of the wealth of information on the clinical, histologic, and pathologic aspects of tympanosclerosis, the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis is still unclear. In an attempt to understand the pathogenesis, 319 human temporal bones from 196 individuals with otitis media were studied. The extent and nature of tympanosclerosis and the characteristics of the otitis media associated with it were studied. Forty-five temporal bones from 35 individuals with otitis media were found to have tympanosclerosis, giving an incidence of 14.1%. It was seen most commonly in individuals over 40 years of age (86.7%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.6:1. The most common site of occurrence was the tympanic membrane (88.9%). Tympanosclerosis was seen more often in the anterior and posterior inferior quadrants of the tympanic membrane and that, too, in a central position. Tympanosclerosis was seen more commonly in temporal bones with irreversible inflammatory changes, and in this group, late plaques were more commonly seen than early or intermediate plaques. Audiometric charts failed to show any direct relationship between extent of tympanosclerosis and the severity of hearing loss. The only audiometric finding of any consequence was a mixed hearing loss in the presence of middle ear tympanosclerosis.

Adult↗

Temporal bone pathology in scuba diving deaths.

Scuba diving has long been associated with otologic injuries; however, little is known about temporal bone pathology in diving-related deaths. We examined 18 temporal bones from 11 divers who died, primarily from complications of rapid ascent. Bleeding into the middle ear and mastoid air cells was nearly universal. Inner ear damage included hemorrhage around Reissner's membrane and the round window membrane and rupture of the utricle and saccule. Most of the observed inner ear damage was not surgically treatable.

Adolescent↗

Symptomatic versus asymptomatic endolymphatic hydrops: a histopathologic comparison.

One of the unanswered questions in Meniere's disease research is the pathophysiology by which the classic symptoms are produced. A histopathological study was undertaken to identify the pathological features of symptomatic endolymphatic hydrops and their relationship to these symptoms. Two groups of temporal bones were examined, compared, and described. The first group was from patients with symptoms of Meniere's disease (n = 29). Temporal bones in the second group were chosen for the presence of endolymphatic hydrops and the absence of otologic symptoms (n = 13). Significant differences were noted in the severity of hydrops, the frequency of membrane ruptures, the endolymphatic duct, and coexistent pathologic conditions. Ruptures were seen in 38% of temporal bones from symptomatic patients and in only 8% of temporal bones from patients with asymptomatic endolymphatic hydrops. Based on this study and a review of the literature, the authors believe that the symptoms and findings of Meniere's disease are explained best on the basis of both chemical and physical mechanisms being operational intermittently and together.

Cochlea↗

In search of missing links in otology. III. Development of a new animal model for cholesteatoma.

An experimental study was conducted in chinchillas regarding the pathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma (keratoma). The placement of a chemically modified gelatin membrane from the external auditory canal to the promontory through a tympanic membrane perforation stimulated squamous epithelial cell migration. Cholesteatoma formation with the presence of keratin debris and inflammatory reactions was observed in the middle ear and anterior bulla in 53.5% of the experimental animals. These experimental findings show for the first time the presence of epithelial migration and true cholesteatoma formation in the middle ear of chinchillas in an experimental model with deliberate perforation of the tympanic membrane. Erosion of the cochlear walls was observed in areas with granulation tissue and cholesteatoma. The importance and significance of the migration of squamous epithelium and of the middle ear inflammatory reaction in the genesis of acquired cholesteatomas are discussed.

Animals↗

Potter's syndrome: a temporal bone histopathological study.

Histopathological findings in seven temporal bones from four infants diagnosed as Potter's syndrome are described. The infants were labelled as Potter's syndrome after autopsy confirmed bilateral renal agenesis. Extrarenal manifestations included pulmonary hypoplasia and facial anomalies. The middle ear volume in infants with Potter's syndrome remained unchanged with age resulting in a significantly higher percentage of residual middle ear mesenchyme in these infants as compared to normal infants. Dehiscence of the facial nerve was seen in all the temporal bones studied. One ear showed the presence of eosinophilic effusion in the endolymphatic sac, an underdeveloped malleus and a wide facial nerve canal. The inner ear structures showed no significant anomalies except for the absence of the organ of Corti in the basal turn of the cochlea in one of the ears.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Bacterial tympanogenic labyrinthitis, meningitis, and sensorineural damage.

Pathologic changes (sensorineural hearing loss, labyrinthitis, meningitis) can follow otitis media. Various macromolecular substances demonstrably enter the inner ear via the round window membrane, but its permeability to bacteria is less known. We inoculated Streptococcus pneumoniae type 7F bilaterally into the middle ears of two groups of chinchillas, with and without grafted round window membranes. Inner ears of inoculated animals were observed by light and electron microscopy. None with continuous grafts had labyrinthitis. Bacteria penetrated all three layers of nongrafted round window membranes and into all cochlear turns, entering Schuknecht's channels and following neuronal pathways; nerves were often degenerated, hair cells were damaged or missing, and the stria vascularis was edematous and hemorrhagic. The neural damage suggests a mechanism for the hearing loss that can follow otitis media. Absence of labyrinthitis and meningitis in grafted animals suggests a tympanogenic pathway for the bacteria.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of retraction pocket formation in the pediatric tympanic membrane.

The epidemiological nature of acquired cholesteatoma in children has shown that it occurs more often in the posterosuperior quadrant of the pars tensa and in the pars flaccida. This type of cholesteatoma is rarely seen before the age of 3 years, and serous otitis media is the most important risk factor for its occurrence. In an attempt to present a pathological rationale for these clinical findings, tympanic membranes from 11 temporal bones with purulent otitis media and 13 with serous otitis media were evaluated light microscopically and compared with 14 temporal bones without disease. Ages ranged from newborn to 3 years 6 months. The persistence of mesenchyme and greater inflammatory reaction observed in the pars flaccida and the posterosuperior quadrant of the pars tensa and changes in collagen and elastin observed in purulent otitis media and serous otitis media may represent a pathological rationale for the epidemiological nature of cholesteatoma in children.

Age Factors↗

Paediatric otoscopy--clinical and histological correlation.

Otoscopy is a subjective clinical method. Its subjectively has led physicians to verify its accuracy through correlations with findings of otomicroscopy, pneumatic otoscopy, tympanometry, and myringotomy. In the very young population, however, the interpretation of otoscopic findings become more difficult. To improve the interpretation of normal otoscopy in young children, an otoscopic-histological correlation was attempted in children up to nine years of age. Twenty-one temporal bones from 15 children aged from two days to nine years who had no evidence of otological disease or congenital anomalies were examined under light microscopy; the thickness of the pars flaccida, posterior superior quadrant, and umbo were measured. Twenty-five eardrums of 15 healthy children without past or present history of otological disease were examined using otoscopy; a photograph of each eardrum was obtained. Our study demonstrates that structural changes in the tympanic membrane during these years of childhood have a good correlation with otoscopic findings. Understanding normal histological changes in the paediatric eardrum may improve our interpretation of otoscopic findings.

Aging↗

Temporal bone histopathology in chronically infected ears with intact and perforated tympanic membranes.

Chronic suppurative otitis media has been clinically defined as a chronic discharge from the middle ear in the presence of a perforation of the tympanic membrane. However, irreversible tissue pathology in the middle ear or mastoid can occur behind an intact tympanic membrane. One hundred forty-four human temporal bones with chronic otitis media were divided into two groups: those with perforated (28) and those with nonperforated (116) tympanic membranes. The histopathological findings of their middle ears were compared. Granulation tissue in various degrees was the most prominent pathological feature. It was observed in 96% of temporal bones with perforation of the tympanic membrane, and in 97% of those without perforation. Also found were ossicular bony changes (96% with perforation; 90.5% without), middle ear effusion (93% with perforation; 89% without), cholesterol granuloma (21% with perforation; 12% without), cholesteatoma (36% with perforation; 4% without), and tympanosclerosis (43% with perforation; 20% without). This study shows that the histopathological changes of the middle ear are similar in temporal bones with and without perforation of the tympanic membrane. The clinician should, therefore, be aware that an intact tympanic membrane does not necessarily preclude the presence of gross pathological changes of the middle ear cleft.

Adolescent↗