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.

Neuroglial Choristoma of the Middle Ear with Massive Tympanosclerosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Neuroglialchoristoma is a rare cerebral heterotopia typically involving extracranial midline structures of the head and neck, including the nose, nasopharynx and oral cavity. It rarely involves non-midline structures, such as the middle ear, mastoid and orbit. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman with right-sided hearing loss and aural fullness who was diagnosed with neuroglialchoristoma of the middle ear and mastoid. To our knowledge, this is the first report on neuroglialchoristomawith massive tympanosclerosis. The presence of combination supported the inhalation theory of neuroglialchoristoma, given that tympanosclerosis is typically caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Do All Antioxidant Supplements Have the Same Potential Effect on Preventing Myringosclerosis?

OBJECTIVES: Myringosclerosis is an irreversible pathological healing mechanism of the tympanic membrane which can result in the formation of sclerotic plaques. Antioxidant treatment is a recognised prevention therapy and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), lycopene, and grape seed extract (GSE), were used in this manner. METHODS: Forty-four Wistar rats were used in this experiment, and, following myringotomies, the animals were randomly divided into four groups. CoQ10, lycopene or GSE was administered orally to the respective groups, starting from the day of surgery. Otomicroscopy examination was performed on the 14th day. All tympanic membrane lesions were evaluated and compared otomicroscopically and histopathologically. RESULTS: The otomicroscopy and histopathological findings, compared against a control (saline) group, showed the CoQ10, lycopene, and GSE groups had statistically significant differences of degree of sclerosis (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: CoQ10, lycopene, and GSE were compared against a saline group and their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects were similar. The formation of myringosclerotic plagues after experimental myringotomy in rats significantly decreased and diminished after systemic administration of the three different antioxidant supplements.

Clinical analysis of tympanosclerosis: characteristics and treatment / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and surgical management of tympanosclerosis.@*METHOD@#The data of 73 patients who underwent surgery for tympanosclerosis were retrospectively analyzed with respects to the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and management.@*RESULT@#Seventy-three patients with tympanosclerosis (involving 73 ears) , including 17 patients with sclerosis of tympanic membrane (type I), 23 patients with fixed Malleus-incus complex (type II), 8 (type III) with fixed stapes, and 25 (type IV) with extensive typannosclerosis. Sclerosis was seen most frequently in the malleus, incus and attic, followed by the tympanic membrane, incudomalleolar joint and other regions. Audiometry was performed for all the patients 1 weeks before and 1 year( the least) after operation, which were (51.70 ± 14.93)dB HL and (36.24 ± 11.58) dB HL respectively, with success rate 83% (61/73).@*CONCLUSION@#Most of the patients suffer from conductive hearing loss. Teatment of the sclerosis around stapes is a key point. Acording to the sites of lesion and hearing level, hearing structures should be reconstructed by the rules of tympanoplasty and stapes surgery.

Tympanosclerosis etiology and treatment / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Tympanosclerosis is the middle ear tissue hyalinization and calcification caused by chronic middle ear inflammation, which mainly results in conductive deafness with unobvious clinical symptom. Etiology is unclear. The treatment is given priority to surgical treatment at present, while long-term effect reported mostly poor. This article analyzed etiology and treatment of the tympanic cavity sclerosis.

A coenzima Q10 produz efeito sobre a prevenção da miringoesclerose?: Estudo experimental com ratos / Is there any effect of coenzyme Q10 on prevention of myringosclerosis?: Experimental study with rats

Estudos recentes demonstram que a formação de miringoesclerose pode ser reduzida pela aplicação de enzimas e elementos antioxidantes. OBJETIVO: Investigar a eficácia da coenzima Q10 na prevenção de miringoesclerose experimentalmente induzida. MÉTODO: Quarenta e oito ratas Wistar albinas saudáveis sofreram miringotomia e foram divididas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos. O Grupo A não recebeu tratamento algum; o Grupo B recebeu coenzima Q10 por via oral; o Grupo C foi tratado com soro fisiológico tópico; e o Grupo D recebeu coenzima Q10 tópica. No 15º dia de tratamento, as membranas timpânicas foram examinadas por otomicroscopia. As lesões miringoescleróticas foram documentadas de forma semiquantitativa por meio de uma escala de quatro pontos. Após a coleta, as membranas timpânicas foram avaliadas por histopatologia. RESULTADOS: No grupo D (coenzima Q10 tópica) foi observada a ocorrência de otite nos primeiros quatro dias do estudo, o que levou à sua exclusão do estudo. O exame de otomicroscopia não revelou diferenças significativas entre grupos em termos de formação de miringoesclerose (p = 0,241). Diferenças estatisticamente significativas foram observada quando os exames histopatológicos do grupo A foram comparados aos dos grupos B e C (p = 0,004; p < 0,001, respectivamente). Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos B e C (p = 0,160). CONCLUSÃO: A administração oral de coenzima Q10 não reduziu a formação de miringoesclerose nos ratos submetidos à miringotomia.

Recent studies have shown that the formation of myringosclerosis could be reduced by the application of antioxidant enzymes and elements. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 on the prevention of experimentally induced myringosclerosis. METHOD: Forty-eight healthy female wistar albino rats were bilaterally myringotomized and divided into four groups randomly. Group A received no treatment, group B was administered oral coenzyme Q10. Group C was treated with topical saline solution, group D received topically coenzyme Q10. On the 15th day of treatment, tympanic membranes were examined by otomicroscopy. Myringosclerotic lesions were documented semiquantitatively by using 4-point scale. After harvesting tympanic membranes were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: In group D (topical coenzyme Q10), we observed otitis within the first four days of the study and this group was excluded from the study. Regarding otomicroscopic examinations, there were no significant differences among groups in myringosclerosis formation (p = 0.241). When group A (non treatment) compared to groups B and C regarding histopathologic examination, the results demonstrated statistical significant differences (p = 0.004; p < 0.001), respectively. There was no statisticaly significant difference between groups B and C (p = 0.160). CONCLUSION: Oral administration of coenzyme Q10 did not reduce myringosclerosis formation in myringotomized rats.

The impact of malleus processing in ossicular chain reconstruction on the therapeutic effect in patients with tympanosclerosis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of different malleus treatments on the postoperative efficacy in the tympanosclerosis patients receiving ossicular chain reconstruction.@*METHOD@#Fifty-nine patients (62 ears) with tympanosclerosis were treated by ossicular chain reconstruction. All the patients were divided into three groups, including malleus removal group (A, 24 ears), retaining only the malleus handle group (B, 18 ears) and the intact malleus group (C, 20 ears). All the patients were followed up 3 months pre-operation, 3 months and 1 year post-operation by audiometric measurement (the average hearing threshold at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 kHz HI). Tympanic membrane was examined by ear endoscope.@*RESULT@#The pre-operation mean air bone gap (ABG) in these groups were 40.07 +/- 77.56 dB, 37.31 +/- 76.45 dB, and 36.75 +/- 76.72 dB, among which the difference had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). At 3 months after operation, the ABG in all cases was improved at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz. The difference of ABG improvement among these three groups had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). One year after surgery, the ABG of the three groups were decreased by 17.92 +/- 9.28 dB, 16.76 +/- 5.19 dB and 10.58 +/- 7.38 dB respectively. The hearing improvement in group C is less than the other two groups (P = 0.03, P = 0.016). The difference of hearing improvement between group A and group B had no statistical significance(P > 0.05). Group A and group B each have one case of tympanic membrane perforation and artificial ossicle falling off.@*CONCLUSION@#The operating processes of malleus in ossicular chain reconstruction of patients with tympanosclerosis were introduced. In terms of short-term efficacy, the three groups showed no significant difference. However, the long-term efficacy of the patients in the group A and group B were better compared with the group C.

Destrution of ossicular chain and it's impact on hearing of patients with tympanosclerosis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the destruction ossicular chain's impact on hearing of patients with tympanosclerosis.@*METHOD@#A retrospective review was conducted in 115 patients with tympanosclerosis, all patients were divided into 3 groups, including normal ossicular chain structure (A group), fixed ossicular chain(B group), and interrupted ossicular chain (C group). The audiological feature of the patients were compared between the 3 group.@*RESULT@#Difference were significant for PTA, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz air conduction threshold between 3 group (P 0.01). Difference were significant for air conduction threshold between 0.5, 1.0 kHz and 2, 4 kHz in A, B groups (P 0.01). Difference were significant for average bone conduction, 1, 2, 4 kHz bone-conduction threshold between A group and B, C group (P 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The ossicular chain was fixed in patients who's PTA > or = (54.31 +/-13.19) dB HL and was interrupted who's PTA > or = (63.90 +/- 20.29) dB HL or ABG > or = (33.23 +/- 8.49) dB HL. The rising shaped curve in air-conduction audiograph may indicate the ossicular chain was fixed,and the smooth shape curve may indicate the ossicular chain was interrupted.

Effectiveness of Stapes Mobilization in Tympanosclerotic Stapes Fixation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tympanosclerosis is a nonspecific and irreversible result of chronic inflammation or infection of the middle ear. However, there remains disagreement about how best to surgically treat tympanosclerotic ossicular fixation, with the controversy over its management when stapes is involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate operative findings and hearing results of tympanosclerosis involving the ossicular chain, which in turn would establish better surgical treatment of tympanosclerotic ossicular fixation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study conducted from Mar 2000 to Dec 2007, 38 patients with tympanosclerosis who had undergone surgical treatment were evaluated. The clinical and operational records and pre- and postoperative pure tone audiograms were reviewed. RESULTS: Operative findings showed stapes fixation is the most common. In 8 patients (21.1%), stapes was mobile, while, in the remaining 30 patients (78.9%), stapes fixation was found. In all cases with stapes fixation, stapes mobilization was possible. Following hearing result reporting guideline by the Korean Otological Society, the success rate of middle ear surgery was 68.4% (26 of 38 patients). In cases with stapes fixation, the success rate was 66.6% (20 of 30 patients), while, in cases with no stapes fixation, the success rate was 75.0% (6 of 8 patients). However, there was no statistical significance between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Stapes fixation was found in 78.9% of tympanosclerotic ossicular fixation. In management of tympanosclerotic stapes fixation, meticulous excision of tympanosclerotic plaques and removal of new bone formation around stapes footplate after adequate exposure could achieve a relatively good hearing result without stapes surgery.

Grommet Cholesteatoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

There are occasional complications after tympanostomy tube insertion due either to the operative procedure itself or to the anato-mical or physiological effects of the tubes. Hearing loss, persisting perforation, tympanosclerosis, atrophy, atelectasis, and the development of cholesteatoma have all been attributed to the tympanostomy tubes. The development of a secondary cholesteatoma at the site of the tube placement Grommet cholesteatoma- is a very uncommon complication. We report one case of cholesteatoma associated with tympanostomy tube insertion.

A Case of Kartagener's syndrome combined with congenital nystagmus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Primary ciliary dyskinesia results in characteristic clinical symptoms, including chronic pansinusitis, recurrent infections of the respiratory tract, and infertility. Kartagener's syndrome is clinically distinguishable by the presence of situs inversus from this group of diseases. Other otolaryngological manifestations of primary ciliary dyskinesia which have been reported include otitis media with effusion, tympanosclerosis, keratosis obturans, and chronic cholesteatoma. Congenital nystagmus is another otological symptom characterized by ocular oscillation, which usually appears in the early infancy, and is often associated with visuosensory abnormalities. Recently, we experienced a 13 year-old boy with congenital nystagmus in addition to all other manifestations of Kartagener's syndrome. Although the clinical implication is not clear, it is possible that two diseases share the same developmental abnormality.

Clinical Study of Laser Myringotomy with Ventilation Tube Insertion on Pediatric Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complications of a knife myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion is rather frequently encountered. To reduce such complications, we have performed myringotomy using a contact Nd: YAG laser. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser assisted myringotomy (LAM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty three patients (106 ears) of ages 1 to 7 were investigated retrospectively. Under the intravenous general anesthesia, LAM was performed to create a 2.0 mm sized perforation. After LAM, a ventilation tube was inserted. RESULTS: All ears underwent successful placement of ventilation tubes. Compared with knife myringotomies, LAM was safe to use in the atrophic tympanic membrane. There were also less intraoperative bleeding and tube plugging, with much lower postoperative otorrhea and myringosclerosis compared to knife myringotomies. Granuloma around the tube did not occurred. Postoperative improvement of air-bone gap reflects that LAM does not damage the inner ear. CONCLUSION: LAM with ventilation tube insertion is more effective than the previous knife myringotomy.

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.

Differential Diagnosis between Chronic Otitis Media with and Mass Effect

PURPOSE: In order to determine specific differences, we compared the temporal bone CT findings of chronic otitis media(COM) with and without cholesteatoma, focusing on bone change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 1998, 82 patients(84 cases) underwent temporal bone CT and were shown to have COM, with or without cholesteatoma after mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty. There were 36cases of COM with cholesteatoma(26 patients, M:F=11:15; age range, 16 -61 [mean, 36.2] years), and 58 cases without cholesteatoma(56 patients, M:F=25:31, age range, 15 -61 [mean, 36.2]years). The findings of temporal bone CT were analyzed at the point of bony changes including erosion and medial displacement of ossicles(malleus, incus, and stapes), erosion or destruction of the scutum, tegmen, facial canal, and lateral semicircular canal, and ballooning of the tympanic cavity and mastoid antrum. In addition, the soft tissue changes seen on temporal bone CT were analyzed at the site of lateral bulging of soft tissue in Prussak's space, perforation of the pars flaccida, tympanic membrane retraction, and tympanosclerosis. We retrospectively compared the findings of temporal bone CT with the surgical findings, and to assess statistical significance, the Chi-square test was used. RESULTS: Bone erosion or destruction was seen in 36.2 % of COM cases without cholesteatoma, and in 96.2% of cases with cholesteatoma. Comparing COM with and without cholesteatoma, the erosion of ossicles includ-ing the malleus(81%, 24%), incus(88%, 14%), stapes(58%, 10%), scutum(88%, 10%), facial canal(8%, 0%), and lateral semicircular canal(8%, 0%), was more common in COM with cholesteatoma(p-value0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone erosion or destruction was seen in COM without cholesteatoma, but expansile bone erosion or destruction with mass effect suggested COM with cholesteatoma. These findings of temporal bone CT in COM demonstrate the existence and extent of combined cholesteatoma, and are therefore valuable.

Differential Diagnosis between Chronic Otitis Media with and Mass Effect

PURPOSE: In order to determine specific differences, we compared the temporal bone CT findings of chronic otitis media(COM) with and without cholesteatoma, focusing on bone change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 1998, 82 patients(84 cases) underwent temporal bone CT and were shown to have COM, with or without cholesteatoma after mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty. There were 36cases of COM with cholesteatoma(26 patients, M:F=11:15; age range, 16 -61 [mean, 36.2] years), and 58 cases without cholesteatoma(56 patients, M:F=25:31, age range, 15 -61 [mean, 36.2]years). The findings of temporal bone CT were analyzed at the point of bony changes including erosion and medial displacement of ossicles(malleus, incus, and stapes), erosion or destruction of the scutum, tegmen, facial canal, and lateral semicircular canal, and ballooning of the tympanic cavity and mastoid antrum. In addition, the soft tissue changes seen on temporal bone CT were analyzed at the site of lateral bulging of soft tissue in Prussak's space, perforation of the pars flaccida, tympanic membrane retraction, and tympanosclerosis. We retrospectively compared the findings of temporal bone CT with the surgical findings, and to assess statistical significance, the Chi-square test was used. RESULTS: Bone erosion or destruction was seen in 36.2 % of COM cases without cholesteatoma, and in 96.2% of cases with cholesteatoma. Comparing COM with and without cholesteatoma, the erosion of ossicles includ-ing the malleus(81%, 24%), incus(88%, 14%), stapes(58%, 10%), scutum(88%, 10%), facial canal(8%, 0%), and lateral semicircular canal(8%, 0%), was more common in COM with cholesteatoma(p-value0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone erosion or destruction was seen in COM without cholesteatoma, but expansile bone erosion or destruction with mass effect suggested COM with cholesteatoma. These findings of temporal bone CT in COM demonstrate the existence and extent of combined cholesteatoma, and are therefore valuable.

Tympanosclerosis of the Middle Ear: Radiologic-Surgical Correlation

PURPOSE: Tympanosclerosis is a common problem causing conductive hearing loss accompanied by chronic otitismedia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT findings of tympanosclerosis, and correlate them with thesurgical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT scans of 17 patients with surgically-proven tympanosclerosis andthose of a control group of 34 patients with nontympanosclerotic chronic otitis media were reviewed. According totheir location, they were assigned to one of three groups; tympanic membrane, epitympanum, or ossicles. RESULTS: Tympanosclerosis was found during surgery to be located in the tympanic membrane (n=11), the epitympanum (n=6), oraround the ossicles(n=8). Calcification of the tympanic membrane, ossicular thickening, narrowing of theepitympanum and calcification of the tympanic cavity occurred to a significant extent, and were more often afeature of tympanosclerosis than of nontympanosclerotic chronic otitis media (p <0.05). As an indicater of tympanicmembrane involvement, sensitivity and specificity of calcification of the tympanic membrane were 73% and 83%,respectively. As an indicator of ossicular involvement, the corresponding figures for ossicular thickening were50% and 93% ; as an indicator of involvement of the tympanic cavity (especially the epitympanum) the figures fornarrowing of the epitympanum and calcification of the tympanic cavity were 50% and 50% (respective sensitivities),and 89% and 93%(respective specificities). CONCLUSION: Tympanosclerosis usually appears on CT as ossicularthickening, narrowing of the epitympanum, calcification of the tympanic membrane and/or tympanic cavity. CT isvery helpful in evaluating ossicular involvement and determining the appropriate surgical treatment oftympanosclerosis.