Evaluation of bioactive glass for mastoid obliteration: a guinea pig model.
BACKGROUND
Mastoid obliteration seeks to replace an open mastoid cavity with material that will become viable and free of infection and cholesteatoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of bioactive glass ceramic particles for mastoid obliteration using a guinea pig animal model.


METHODS
Ten male guinea pigs (weighing 250-300 g) with normal eardrums and Preyer reflexes were used. Bulla obliteration using bioactive glass was performed on the left side in all guinea pigs. The implanted bioactive glass ceramic particles were examined clinically and radiologically by computed tomography (CT) and histologically.


RESULTS
Clinically, there were no signs of inflammation, infection or implant exposure in all guinea pigs. The CT scans showed hyperintense areas that represented new bone formation. Histological evidence of new bone formation was observed in the implant specimens that included: active osteoblasts, osteocytes, chondrocytes and osteoid tissue. There was a definite bond between the implant and the bone interface at the areas of new bone formation. No inflammatory or foreign body reactions, caused by the bioactive glass ceramic particle implantation, were observed in the surrounding tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that bioactive glass ceramic particles are an ideal implant material. Further studies on bioactive glass ceramic particles should include a larger animal trial to lay the groundwork for human studies.
Jang
Chul Ho
CH
Department of Otolaryngology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea. chulsavio@hanmail.net
Cho
Yong Bum
YB
Bae
Chun Sik
CS
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002516:Ceramics; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008422:Materials Testing; D023421:Models, Animal; D016348:Osseointegration; D010006:Osteoblasts; D010010:Osteoclasts; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C022107:Bioglass; D018786:Bone Substitutes