[Fluorescence angiography in the pathological findings of the tympanic membrane]

Vascularity changes in certain pathological findings of tympanic membranes were examined via a newly developed technique of fluorescence angiography. Characteristic pictures of fluorescence-stained vasculature were found in chronic inflammations or in neoplastic processes. Around the margins of perforations or over sclerotic plaques, there was decreased vascular marking with obviously increased vascular permeability. A lack of vascularisation was observed in cases of atrophic membranes. So-called glomus tumours showed an early onset of strong hyperfluorescence, representing the dense vascularisation of these neoplasms. Our findings in chronic inflammatory lesions such as perforations, sclerotic plaques, and atrophies strongly suggest disturbances of the blood supply. In consequence, areas with such vascularity changes should be excised widely during tympanoplasties and undercovered e.g. with temporal fascia. The high staining ability of the so-called glomus tumours may be of differential diagnostic value in certain cases.