[Roles of epidermal growth factor and its receptor on the chronic tympanic membrane perforations]

To evaluate the possible roles of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) on the chronic tympanic membrane perforations.

A phosphate buffer saline of EGFR was administered to a Gelfoam pledget placed over chronic tympanic membrane perforations in guinea pigs. The EGFR of 10 specimens from the acquired middle ear cholesteatoma of the adjacent skin around perforation was examined by immunohistochemical SP method and computer image analysis. Results Complete closure of the tympanic membrane perforations was observed in 82.6% of EGF-treated ears, but only 33.3% in the controls(P < 0. 01). No case was led to middle ear cholesteatoma in the experiment group (0/23). The positive expression in the adjacent skin around perforation was (39.3 -/+ 7.4)%; and the normal external ear skin was (25.4 +/- 3.7)%; There were distinctly significant differences between the adjacent skin around perforation and the normal external ear skin (P < 0. 01).

EGF is effective on closing chronic tympanic membrane perforations in the guinea pigs. Present data suggests that EGF-treated may induce the occurrence of middle ear cholesteatoma.