Experimental cholesteatoma: Epidermal ingrowth through tympanic membrane following middle ear application of propylene glycol

Masami Masaki, Charles G. Wright, David H. Lee, William L. Meyerhoff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate morphological changes in the tympanic membrane (TM) associated with cholesteatoma formation in experimental animals following application of propylene glycol to the middle ear. A 50% solution of propylene glycol was applied bilaterally to the middle ear cavities of 30 young-adult chinchillas. The animals were sacrificed for light and electron microscopic study at intervals of 2 days to 6 weeks after a single application of 0.2 ml of the propylene glycol solution. At 2 days there was complete destruction of the epidermal and mucosal layers of the TM. The denuded lateral surface rapidly became re-epithelialized by hyperplastic epidermal cells and by 2-3 weeks, keratinizing epidermis penetrated damaged areas of the fibrous layer of the lamina propria to reach the medial surface of the TM. These epidermal cells proliferated in the middle ear cavity, forming cholesteatomas. Our observations indicate that invasion of the intact, but structurally altered, tympanic membrane by hyperplastic epidermis is a primary mechanism of cholesteatoma formation in the animal model.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)113-121
Number of pages9
JournalActa Oto-Laryngologica
Volume108
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989

Keywords

  • Chinchilla
  • Epidermal migration
  • Pars tensa

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Experimental cholesteatoma: Epidermal ingrowth through tympanic membrane following middle ear application of propylene glycol'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this