[Langerhans cells and human aural cholesteatoma]

Enzyme histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultramicroscopic analysis of 20 human aural cholesteatoma matrices revealed the presence of Langerhans cells, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and HLA-DR positive cells. There was no significant difference of the numerical density on the area of Langerhans cells between the cholesteatoma matrices and the normal ear canal skin. The numerical density on the area of T4 and the ratio of T4/T8 of cholesteatoma were higher than those of the normal ear canal skin. Through cell-to-cell interaction, Langerhans cells probably play a key role in skin-related disorders, including cholesteatoma.