Pathological profile in chronic suppurative otitis media--the regional experience

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Pathology
• Epidemiology of Ear Diseases

Background:

• Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a prevalent condition requiring surgical intervention.
• Understanding peroperative findings is crucial for effective management and surgical planning in CSOM.
• Previous studies highlight varying degrees of ossicular damage and perforation types in CSOM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and analyze peroperative findings in a consecutive series of CSOM cases.
• To identify the frequency of specific pathologies such as ossicular damage, perforations, and cholesteatoma.
• To compare findings with existing literature on CSOM surgical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 145 consecutive CSOM cases.
• Data collection included patient demographics, perforation status, ossicular integrity, and presence of cholesteatoma.
• Surgical procedures were performed at Civil Hospital, Karachi.

Main Results:

• The mean age of patients was 24 years.
• Subtotal perforations were observed in 51% of cases.
• Majority of patients had damage to more than one ossicle, with involvement of all three ossicles in 40% of cases. Malleus and incus damage was notably frequent.
• Granulations and extensive cholesteatoma were present in 30 cases.

Conclusions:

• CSOM surgery frequently reveals subtotal perforations and significant ossicular chain damage.
• The high incidence of malleus and incus damage may be linked to common granulations and subtotal perforations.
• Extensive cholesteatoma is a significant finding in a notable proportion of CSOM cases requiring surgery.