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Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
Published on: December 7, 2013
Is there a relationship between myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis?
1Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, 4th ENT Clinic, Turkey. sadin27@yahoo.com
Objective:
Myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis are two different pathologies seen in different parts of the body. Both of these occur following a similar physiopathological process. However this has not previously been adequately discussed in the literature. Trauma to either the tympanic membrane or to the intimal layer of the arterial wall results in the formation of a sclerotic plaque. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis.
Patients:
A total of 421 patients with the diagnosis of coronary artery disease were included in the study. All of the patients were evaluated for the presence of atherosclerosis by coronary angiography and for myringosclerosis by otoscopic examination.
Main Outcome Measures:
The presence of myringosclerotic plaques, plaque dimensions and bilateral involvement of tympanic membranes were compared in the groups with and without atherosclerosis.
Results:
Amongst the 316 patients (75.0%) shown to have atherosclerosis, 65 (20.5%) also had myringosclerosis. Amongst the 105 patients without atherosclerosis, 24 (22.8%) had myringosclerosis. There was no statistically significant relationship between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis (p > 0.05). Neither plaque dimensions nor bilateral involvement of the ears showed significant difference between the two groups (p >0.05 and p >0.05, respectively).
Conclusions:
We conclude that there is no similar genetic tendency between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis. The significance of the plaque dimensions and the bilateral involvement of tympanic membranes have not been satisfactorily discussed in the literature and this is the first time that they are being addressed. In contrast to the reported articles, there is no relationship between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis other than being similar pathological processes occurring as a result of endothelial-epithelial damage.
Insights
This study found no significant relationship between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis, despite their similar pathological processes. Further research is needed on plaque dimensions and bilateral involvement in myringosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Cardiology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis share similar physiopathological mechanisms involving plaque formation.
- Previous literature has not adequately explored the potential relationship between these two distinct conditions.
- Both conditions arise from trauma to specific tissue layers: tympanic membrane for myringosclerosis and arterial intimal layer for atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential relationship between myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis.
- To compare the presence, dimensions, and bilaterality of myringosclerotic plaques in patients with and without atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 421 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease was assessed.
- Atherosclerosis was evaluated using coronary angiography.
- Myringosclerosis was diagnosed via otoscopic examination.
Main Results:
- Of 316 patients with atherosclerosis, 20.5% also had myringosclerosis.
- Of 105 patients without atherosclerosis, 22.8% had myringosclerosis.
- No statistically significant relationship was found between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis (p > 0.05). Plaque dimensions and bilateral involvement also showed no significant differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- There is no evidence of a shared genetic predisposition between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis.
- This study is the first to address plaque dimensions and bilateral involvement in myringosclerosis.
- The findings suggest no direct relationship between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis beyond their shared underlying pathological process of endothelial-epithelial damage.
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