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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery
Published on: January 19, 2022
Micronucleus frequency in acquired middle ear cholesteatoma
Kayhan Oztürk1, M Selman Yildirim, Hasan Acar
1Department of Otolaryngology, Meram Medical Faculty, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey. kayhan@medscape.com
Objective:
To determine the micronucleus (MN) frequency of acquired cholesteatoma tissue using an MN assay.
Material And Methods:
Eighteen patients were diagnosed as having chronic otitis media with acquired cholesteatoma and were divided into primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma groups. Cholesteatoma tissue and normal tissue specimens from the external ear canal skin were taken from the patients during surgical operations. MN frequencies of cholesteatoma and control samples were determined according to standard criteria.
Results:
The MN frequencies of the cholesteatoma and control tissues were 0.54%+/-0.31% and 0.24%+/-0.11%, respectively (p<0.01). MN frequencies for the primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma groups were 0.63%+/-0.36% and 0.46%+/-0.26%, respectively (p>0.05). MN frequencies in cholesteatoma patients without and with complications were 0.42%+/-0.19% and 0.85%+/-0.37%, respectively (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
MN frequencies were found to be increased in cholesteatoma tissues when compared with external ear canal skin. The MN frequency in five cases with complications was higher than in cases without complications. These results indicate that there could be associations between MN frequency and acquired cholesteatoma and between MN frequency and complications.
Insights
Micronucleus (MN) frequency is elevated in acquired cholesteatoma tissue compared to normal skin. Higher MN frequencies were observed in cholesteatoma patients with complications, suggesting a potential link.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Acquired cholesteatoma is a destructive condition of the middle ear.
- Micronucleus (MN) assays are used to detect chromosomal damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the micronucleus (MN) frequency in acquired cholesteatoma tissue.
- To investigate potential associations between MN frequency and cholesteatoma characteristics or complications.
Main Methods:
- Micronucleus (MN) assay performed on surgically obtained cholesteatoma and control external ear canal skin specimens from 18 patients.
- Patients were categorized into primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma groups, and by presence or absence of complications.
Main Results:
- MN frequency was significantly higher in cholesteatoma tissue (0.54%) compared to control tissue (0.24%) (p<0.01).
- MN frequency was higher in cholesteatoma patients with complications (0.85%) than in those without (0.42%) (p<0.05).
- No significant difference in MN frequency was found between primary and secondary cholesteatoma groups (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Micronucleus (MN) frequency is increased in acquired cholesteatoma tissue.
- Elevated MN frequency may be associated with acquired cholesteatoma and its complications.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of chromosomal instability in cholesteatoma pathogenesis.
