ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: OME is a multifactorial disease. It has long been recognized that eustachian tube dysfunction or obstruction predisposes to OME. Some researchers suggested that histamine released from adenoid mast cell, is another possible factor for eustachian tube dysfunction. But, it is controvertial that the increased population of adenoid mast cell in patients with OME. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 38 of children who were done tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy with or without insertion of ventilation tube, were the subjects of this study. The mast cells were identified and counted in the tonsillectomy specimens and adenoidectomy specimens. Total IgE was measured in the serum of each patient with PRIST. RESULTS: The population of adenoid mast cell was increased in the OME group than control group. But, the population of tonsillar mast cell, and serum total IgE were not associated with OME. CONCLUSIONS: Increased population of adenoid mast cell was related to the pathogenesis of OME.