Advances in research on treatment of tympanosclerosis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Tympanosclerosis is the hyaline degeneration and calcium deposition of the lamina propria of tympanic membrane and the submucosa of middle ear under long-term chronic inflammatory stimulation. At present, treatment primarily involves the surgical removal of sclerotic foci and reconstruction of auditory ossicular chain. However, excision of sclerotic lesions near critical structures like the facial nerve canal and vestibular window may result in complications like facial paralysis, vertigo, and sensorineural hearing loss. Developing safer and more effective treatments for tympanosclerosis has become an international research focus. Recent years have seen novel explorations in the treatment of tympanosclerosis. Therefore, this article reviews the latest advancements in research on the treatment of tympanosclerosis.

Analysis of medium and long term efficacy of ossicle chain bypass technique in treatment of tympanosclerosis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:For tympanosclerosis patients with ossicular chain fixation, we use ossicular chain bypass technique and evaluate its long-term effects. Methods:From June 2017 to June 2019, 147 patients with tympanosclerosis who underwent middle ear surgery with otoscopy in Yinchuan First People's Hospital were reviewed. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the implemented operation plan, 51 cases in the ossicular chain mobilization group（OCM）, 56 cases in the ossicular chain bypass reconstruction group（OCB）, and 40 cases in the malleus-incus complex resection reconstruction group（MICR）. Through a three-year follow-up, the medium and long-term effects of different operation plans were compared and analyzed. Results:There was no significant difference among the three groups in the incidence of tympanic membrane perforation, delayed facial nerve palsy, and the dispatch and displacement of PORP. The incidence of tympanic membrane retraction pocket or cholesteatoma after operation in OCB group（0） was significantly lower than that in OCM group（11.76%） and MICR group（7.5%）（P<0.05）. At 12 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group and MICR group were better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）. At 36 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group was better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）, and there was no significant difference between OCB group and MICR group. The audiological performance of patients with epitympanic sclerosis（ETS） at 12, 24 and 36 months after operation was better than that of patients with posterior tympanosclerosis（PTS） and total tympanosclerosis（TTS）（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Compared with patients undergoing ossicular chain mobilization and malleus-incus complex resection for ossicular chain reconstruction, patients with tympanosclerosis undergoing bypass technique have better and stable hearing prognosis in medium and long term. This technique can effectively prevent the formation of retracted pocket and cholesteatoma in patients with tympanosclerosis after operation.

Incidence of Tympanosclerosis in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

introduction: Tympanosclerosis is an anatomoclinical entity which causes thickening and fusion of collagenous fibers intoa homogenous mass with final deposition of scattered intracellular and extracellular calcium and phosphate crystals in thesubepithelial tissue of tympanic membrane and middle ear structure.Aim: This study aims to study the incidence of tympanosclerosis in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) patients.Materials and Methods: Patients with CSOM admitted for surgery were subjected to detailed ENT examination and investigationwhich included otoscopy, tuning fork tests with 256, 512, and 1024 Hz, free-field hearing, pure tone audiometry, X-ray mastoids,and computed tomography (CT) temporal bone. CT temporal bone can be used to determine the extent of disease in the middleear and ossicles fixation.Results: In 62 patients with CSOM, the incidence of tympanosclerosis was found to be 17.7% (11 cases). In patients withtympanosclerosis, the lesions were confined to tympanic membrane alone in 72% (8 cases) while the involvement of bothtympanic membrane and middle ear was found in 18% (2 cases). In tympanosclerosis, 9% (1 case) had an AB gap of <20 dB,63.6% (7 cases).Conclusion: Tympanosclerosis is long-term sequelae of CSOM. The hearing loss associated with tympanosclerosis was ofthe conductive type in the majority of cases.

The effect of melatonin and vitamin C treatment on the experimentally induced tympanosclerosis: study in rats / Efeito do tratamento com melatonina e vitamina C na timpanoesclerose induzida experimentalmente: estudo em ratos

Abstract Introduction: The ethiopathogenesis of tympanosclerosis has not been completely under- stood yet. Recent studies have shown that free oxygen radicals are important in the formation of tympanosclerosis. Melatonin and Vitamin C are known to be a powerful antioxidant, interacts directly with Reactive Oxygen Species and controls free radical-mediated tissue damage. Objective: To demonstrate the possible preventative effects of melatonin and Vitamin C on tympanosclerosis in rats by using histopathology and determination of total antioxidant status total antioxidant status. Methods: Standard myringotomy and standard injury were performed in the middle ear of 24 rats. The animals were divided into three groups: Group 1 received melatonin, Group 2 received vitamin C, and Group 3 received saline solution. Results: The mean values of total antioxidant status were similar in the all study groups before the treatment period. The mean values of total antioxidant status were significantly higher in the melatonin and vitamin C groups compared to control group but vitamin C with melatonin groups were similar after the treatment period (p < 0.001). Minimum and maximum wall thicknesses were lower in the melatonin and vitamin C groups compared to the control group but the differences were insignificant. Conclusion: Melatonin increases total antioxidant status level and might have some effect on tympanosclerosis that develops after myringotomy.

Resumo Introdução: A etiopatogênese da timpanoesclerose (TE) não foi ainda totalmente esclarecida. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que os radicais livres de oxigênio são importantes na formação de TE. Melatonina e vitamina C são conhecidas por serem poderosos antioxidantes, interagir diretamente com espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) e controlar danos em tecidos mediados por radicais livres. Objetivo: Demonstrar os possíveis efeitos preventivos da melatonina e da vitamina C na TE em ratos com histopatologia e determinação da capacidade antioxidante total (CAT). Método: Miringotomias padronizadas foram feitas na orelha média de 24 ratos. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: o Grupo 1 recebeu melatonina, o Grupo 2 vitamina C e o grupo 3 solução salina. Resultados: Os valores médios de CAT foram semelhantes em todos os grupos de estudo antes do período de tratamento. Os valores médios de CAT foram significativamente maiores nos grupos que receberam melatonina e vitamina C em comparação com o grupo de controle, mas os grupos vitamina C e melatonina foram semelhantes após o período de tratamento (p < 0,001). As espessuras mínimas e máximas de parede foram menores nos grupos melatonina e vitamina C, em comparação com o grupo controle, mas as diferenças não foram significativas. Conclusão: A melatonina aumenta os níveis de CAT e pode ter algum efeito sobre a TE que se desenvolve após a miringotomia.

Comparison of two Methods for the Modeling of Tympanosclerosis in Rat / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To establish a rat model of tympanosclerosis(TS) by myringotomy and inoculation of streptococcus pneummoniae, and to observe the morphological change in the tympanic membrane (TM) and middle ear mucous.Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=20/group) and then ten in each group were chosen to serve as the control and the other ten were set up for the TS model.Group A (myringotomy): myringotomy was performed on the bilateral TMs of all rats except the control group.Group B (bacterial inoculation): streptococcus pneumoniae was inoculated into the bilateral middle ear cavity of all rats except the control group.The condition of the TMs and the middle ears in the two groups were respectively examined at 2 weeks after myringotomy and at the five time points (1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks) after bacterial inoculation.Then the rats were decapitated and the morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results One rat in group B died two weeks after the inoculation.In the two experimental groups, the calcifications were observed in 70%of the TMs (14/20) in group A and in 33.33%of the TMs (6/18) at 8 weeks in group B.At the same time, the inflammatory infiltration and hyaline degeneration markedly appeared in the tympanic membrane and middle ear mucous membrane.In the two control groups, neither morphological changes nor calcifications occurred.Conclusion The current study indicated that the animal model of TS was successfully accomplished by myringotomy and inoculation of streptococcus pneummoniae, and their morphological changes were basically consistent.However, the method of myringotomy is easier to use and can obtain a higher modeling rate in a relatively short time.

Tympanosclerosis causing blockage of Middle Ear Cleft.

Background: Middle ear cleft space starts from Eustachian tube, and includes middle ear, aditus & mastoid antrum. It develops from 1st visceral pouch. Blockage of middle ear cleft, particularly the aditus can result from a number of reasons. Tympanosclerosis creates obstruction in aeration of middle ear and mastoid antrum. Aims & Objective: To study effect of tympanosclerosis on blockage of middle ear cleft. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of all cases of cortical mastoidectomy surgeries done in a Tertiary care centre in Western U.P. was carried out. Relevant clinical data and histopathology reports were obtained from hospital records and the data was analysed. A total of 20 cases of cortical mastoidectomy were included in the study. Results: A total of 20 cases were included in the study, in the age group of 16 to 58 years. Tympanosclerosis was seen in 13 cases. In tympanosclerosis positive group, the mean age was 25-32years. The aditus was not patent in 10(50%) of patients in this group. Conclusion: Tympanosclerosis is a non-specific result of chronic inflammatory process and causes an increased risk for blockage of aditus through plaque formation. Clearance of these plaques and cortical mastoidectomy prevents recurrences.

Electron-Microscopic Studies in Guinea Pig with Tympanosclerosis / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To study the middle ear mucosa of guinea pigs with tympanosclerosis by electron microscope and try to obtain some insights into the feature and pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.Methods Eight healthy variegated guinea pigs were devided into 2 groups.Six(8 ears) guinea pigs were subjected to inoculation of 1×10~8/L of staphylococcus aureus solution 100 μl into the middle ear cavities under the microscope.All the guinea pigs were observed for more than 6 months with no farther treatment.For electron-microscopic studies,the mucosa tissues were taken from the tympanic mucosa in 6 guinea pigs (8 ears) with tympanosclerosis from various sites,while the middle ear mucosa of two healthy guinea pigs (4 ears) were taken as a control.Results Uhrastructural examination of the normal middle ear mucosa revealed a few collagen fibers,normal morphous of fibrocyte,rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria,and there was no lysosome.However,the tympanosclerosis specimens showed that irregular deformation,elongation,and degeneration of fibrocytes and oval nucleus were darkly stained,lots of mitochondria and lysosomes gathered into the cytoplasm around the nuclear and cystic expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum.In the submucosa extracellular matrix,there were a large number of collagen fibers containing lots of amorphous high-density electron-rich body.Conclusion Electron-microscopic studies of the middle ear mucosa of guinea pigs with tympanosclerosis revealed evident proliferation of collagen fibers,and calcifications were seen in the structures such as extracellular matrix vesicle,lysosomes,myelin structures within lipid granules,which mainly in extracellular matrix vesicles.

The Clinicopathologic and Electron-microccopic Characteristics of Patients with Tympanosclerosis / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective The light and electron-microscopic examination was utilized to study the tissue from middle ears diagnosed as having tympanosclerosis. The main purpose of this article is to understand the clinicopathologic and electron-microscopic characteristics of 68 patients with tympanosclerosis. Methods The material for histopathologic and electron-microscopic studies were taken from the tympanic mucosa in various localities, especially from the whitish sclerotic masses in the tympanum of the patients with tympanosclerosis, during middle ear surgeries between 2006 and 2008. Specimens were divided into two groups: one group of 68 specimens was fixed and stained for light microscopic study with hematoxylin-eosin; the second group of 12 specimens was viewed in the electron microscope. Results The specimens from tympanic mucosa showed granulation tissue with infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells, and slight fibrosis in the submucosal layer. The histopathology of the plaques after haemaoxylin and eosin staining revealed dense bundles of collagen with hyaline degeneration and scattered areas of calcification. An ultrastructural examination of these specimens revealed fibrocytes that were irregularly shaped, elongated, and degenerating. The osmiophilic cytoplasm contained vesicles and collagen bundles. There were clusters of mitochondria in perinuclear cytoplasm and lots of electron dense calcareous deposits within lysosomes and degenerated mitochondria in fibrocyte cells. Conclusion The histopathologic examinations of tympanosclerosis revealed dense fibrous and collagenous connective tissues, poor in cell, with hyaline degeneration and occasional calcification in the tympanic mucosa. Electron-microscopic studies further revealed marked proliferation of collagen fibers and electron dense calcareous deposits within lysosomes and degenerated mitochondria in fibrocyte cells.

Factors That Affect the Development of Tympanosclerosis after Ventilation Tube Insertion / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The tympanosclerosis is an abnormal deposits of collagen materials on the lamina propria of the tympanic membrane or the middle ear mucosa. It usually appears as a whitish plaque on the tympanic membrane through otoscopic examination. The etiology of tympanosclerosis is not known, but there are some theories that attempt to explain the pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to understand the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis and to find out the methods to minimize the occurrence of tympanosclerosis after ventilation tube insertion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Otoscopic examination, impedance and pure tone audiometry were performed on 190 patients (306 ears) with serous otitis media, and on those who have undertaken ventilaton tube insertion from 1990 to 1998 at the otolaryngology department in Hanyang University Hospital. Then, the patients' medical and operative records were reviewed and analyzed in view of location and pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis. RESULTS: Incidence rate of tympanosclerosis was 42.5% in non-cleft patients and 61.9% in congenital cleft and palate patients. The rate increased when larger and heavier tube was used and the middle ear fluid was highly viscous. Most common sites for the development of tympanosclerosis were in the posteroinferior and anteroinferior portions of the tympanic membrane. Tympanosclerosis had little effect on hearing but in severe cases, it caused mild degree of hearing loss. CONCLUSION: We consider that tympanosclerosis is an inevitable result of ventilation tube insertion and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. We found that we can minimize the occurrence of tympanosclerosis by using small and light ventilation tubes, and avoid intraoperative bleeding and minimal mechanical trauma on the tympanic membrane by aspiring the middle ear fluid.