title: Ossicular erosion by cholesteatoma: investigation by scanning electron microscopy utilizing a new preparation technique.
abstract: A new technique for removing the soft tissues from middle ear ossicles to prepare them for scanning electron microscopy is described. The technique involved use of a solution of hypochlorite. The bony surface of normal ossicles was studied as a control group after preparation by the technique and no morphological distortion was observed. Ossicles eroded by cholesteatoma were then studied, and we propose that the erosion occurs in three stages; pumicing, pitting and cavitating. The mucoperiosteum of normal ossicles and otosclerotic foci were also studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stoney
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hawke
mesh_terms: D002781:Cholesteatoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde; D003094:Collagen; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite