[Histopathologically observational study of cartilage-mucosa on the eustachian tube isthmus of temporal bone with otitis media].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the influence of inflammatory pathology change of otitis media upon cartilage-mucosa at the eustachian tube isthmus (ETI).


METHODS
The cartilage-mucosa at ETI and bone-mucosa on the tympanic promontory of 32 temporal bones with otitis media were observated histopathologiclly in comparison with 50 normal temporal bones under light microscopy.


RESULTS
The eustachian tube isthmus in all the 32 temporal bone with otitis media and in 50 normal temporal bone were unblocked. The thick-measures and pathology observations of the cartilage-mucosa on ETI in the temporal bones with otitis media revealed there was no obviously inflammatory change and no significantly difference in comparison with the normal control group. But there was obviously inflammatory pathologic change on the bone-mucosa of tympanic promomtory of temporal bone with otitis media. The demarcation line of completely different inflammatory reaction in middle ear cleft was exactly at the connective line between cartilage and bone of eustachian tube.


CONCLUSIONS
With the specifically histologic structure, the cartilage-mucosa on eustachian tube is possessed of very strong function of natural defence for inflammatory desease, and it almost is impossible to lead to obstruction of eustachian tube by inflammatory influence upon the cartilage-mucosa.
Zhang
Q
Q
Department of ENT, Second Clinical Medical College, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710004.
Zheng
G
G
Paparella
M M
MM
D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000473:pathology*; D010521:Periosteum / Q000473:pathology*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology