Evolution of middle ear changes after permanent eustachian tube blockage.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a valid animal model for otitis media with effusion (OME).


METHODS
Forty specific pathogen-free Wistar rats underwent a procedure based on the permanent obstruction of pharyngeal eustachian tube by means of electrocoagulation without any manipulation.


METHODS
Ear Research Group, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Puerta de Hierro Hospital, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
The assessment of OME by otoscopy and tympanometry. The rats were humanely killed at 15 and 90 days, and temporal bones were obtained and processed for histopathologic study.


RESULTS
The histopathologic study of the temporal bones demonstrated the occurrence of chronic effusion and mucosal changes owing to mucoperiosteal enlargement.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparison with other experimental models was made. Our animal model was consistent and reproducible and resembled human OME.
Vicente
Javier
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Calle de San Martín de Porres 4, 28035 Madrid, Spain. jvicenteh@seorl.net
Trinidad
Almudena
A
Ramírez-Camacho
Rafael
R
García-Berrocal
José Ramón
JR
González-García
Jose Angel
JA
Ibáñez
Andres
A
Pinilla
Maria Teresa
MT
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000473:pathology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology*; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D038781:Otoscopy; D010521:Periosteum / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology
D003094:Collagen