Evidence against neonatal aspiration of keratinizing epithelium as a cause of congenital cholesteatoma.
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that congenital cholesteatoma may be caused by perinatal aspiration of squamous epithelium.


METHODS
Microscopic study of fetal temporal bones.


METHODS
Thirty-one temporal bones from infants who died of sudden infant death syndrome before 1 year of age and 27 temporal bones obtained from preterm fetal deaths aged 4 to 8 months of fetal development were studied to assess signs of aspiration of squamous epithelium in the middle ear.


RESULTS
None of the prenatal or postnatal temporal bones showed keratinizing epithelial cells or lanugo. A certain number of specimens displayed a nonspecific inflammatory lymphocytic infiltration.


CONCLUSIONS
The data in the present study do not support the theory of amniotic fluid and squamous epithelial aspiration as an origin of congenital cholesteatoma.
Bernal-Sprekelsen
Manuel
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Clinic, Villaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona,Spain. mbernal@clinic.ub.es
Sudhoff
Holger
H
Hildmann
Henning
H
D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000151:congenital* / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001239:Inhalation; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology
D007633:Keratins