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Published on: January 4, 2017
Ultrastructural pathology of the middle ear mucosa in otitis media with effusion
M Shibuya1, K Hozawa, T Takasaka
1Department of Otolaryngology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Abstract:
To elucidate the histopathological features of the middle ear mucosa in otitis media with effusion (OME), 33 specimens were obtained from OME patients (28 from children and 5 from adults) at the time of the ventilation tube insertion, and examined by light- and electron-microscopy. The mucosa from both pediatric and adult OME patients with glue effusion consisted mostly of non-ciliated cells containing numerous low electron-dense granules with or without a core, and many macroapocrine sections were observed on the apical surface of the cells. The mucosa with mucoid effusion showed various secretory activity, but macroapocrine secretions were rarely found. The intercellular space was intact and the junctional complex was well preserved. In serous otitis cases, the epithelia consisted mostly of cuboid ciliated cells and non-ciliated cells without definite secretory activity. But the intercellular space became widened and the junctional complex was occasionally damaged, indicating that the epithelium was quite permeable. We concluded that there was no significant histopathological difference between the OME mucosa of children and that of adults, although the nature of the effusion was closely correlated with the morphological features of the epithelial linings.
Insights
Histopathological examination of middle ear mucosa in otitis media with effusion (OME) revealed similar features in children and adults. Effusion type strongly correlated with epithelial cell morphology and secretory activity.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Histopathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common condition, particularly in children, characterized by fluid accumulation in the middle ear.
- Understanding the histopathological changes in the middle ear mucosa is crucial for diagnosing and managing OME.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the histopathological features of the middle ear mucosa in pediatric and adult patients with OME.
- To correlate these features with the type of middle ear effusion (glue, mucoid, or serous).
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy were used to examine 33 middle ear mucosa specimens from OME patients (28 children, 5 adults).
- Specimens were collected during ventilation tube insertion.
Main Results:
- Middle ear mucosa in both children and adults with glue effusion showed non-ciliated cells with granules and macroapocrine secretions.
- Mucoid effusion correlated with varied secretory activity but rare macroapocrine secretions.
- Serous otitis cases exhibited widened intercellular spaces and occasional junctional complex damage, suggesting increased epithelial permeability.
Conclusions:
- No significant histopathological differences were observed in the middle ear mucosa between pediatric and adult OME patients.
- The type of effusion is closely linked to the morphological characteristics of the epithelial linings in OME.
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