Adenoid mast cells and their role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion.
BACKGROUND
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an inflammation of the middle ear in which a collection of liquid is present in the middle-ear space while the tympanic membrane is intact. The association between adenoid inflammation and OME has long been noted but the exact mechanism is still much debated. We studied the role of adenoid mast cells in the causation of OME.


OBJECTIVE
To study the distribution and role of adenoid mast cells in the causation of OME.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, prospective study was carried out in the otorhinolaryngologic clinic, department of otorhinolaryngology (ORL), Science University of Malaysia, from June 1999 to September 2001. A total number of 50 cases were studied. Twenty-five of these patients underwent adenoidectomy, while another 25 patients underwent adenoidectomy and myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion. The adenoid specimens from all patients were examined for the number of adenoid mast cells present, using light microscopy and toluidine blue as the staining agent. The results were analysed using SPSS version 10.0 computer software.


RESULTS
The population of adenoid mast cells in children with OME was significantly greater than that in children without OME (p=0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased number of adenoid mast cells in patients with OME suggests that inflammation may play a role in this condition.
Abdullah
B
B
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. baharudin@kb.usm.my
Hassan
S
S
Sidek
D
D
Jaafar
H
H
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies