Histopathology of the stapes in osteogenesis imperfecta

Conventional histological studies of stapes footplates from patients with osteogenesis imperfecta revealed, in nine out of 15 stapes examined, an otospongiotic-like lesion. Although the morphology of the stapedial lesion was comparable to the early otosclerotic focus, a greater structural disorganization and larger resorption spaces in osteogenesis imperfecta distinguished the two conditions. The histopathology of the stapes was related to the morphology of cortical and trabecular bone from the iliac crest. Various degrees of immature, osteogenic bony tissue were found in the iliac crest, showing no resemblance to the otospongiotic-like focus in the footplate. Even though the histologic appearance of the stapes footplates differed from the findings in peripheral bone, the present study indicates that the stapedial lesion in osteogenesis imperfecta is most likely a manifestation of the generalized bone and connective tissue disorder. The study further supports the view that osteogenesis imperfecta and otosclerosis are of different aetiology.