[Histologic studies of radical cavities. Case reports from the Wittmaack collection]

25 serially sectioned temporal bones from Wittmaack's temporal bone collection (ENT Hospital, University of Hamburg) have been examined in which radical mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma has been performed. The microtopographical and pathohistological analysis of postoperative results shows that recurrent cholesteatoma and inflammation act together as to complications such as labyrinthitis, meningitis and brain abscess. The subepithelial layer of granulation tissues between the matrix of the cholesteatoma and the underlying bone causes bone destruction via osteitis.