Experimental hematotympanum--aspects to the tympanosclerosis development
Sprem, N.; Branica, S.; Dawidowsky, K.
Collegium Antropologicum 26(1): 267-272
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0350-6134 PMID: 12137309 Document Number: 540849
The etiology of tympanosclerosis is very complex and has not been entirely clarified. In order to find out if blood could be a provoking factor and cause tympanosclerosis, the authors injected the blood into the ears of 32 guinea pigs. The animals were sacrificed at weekly intervals up to one month and the histological analysis of the temporal bones was performed. Their experiment has shown that mucosal changes, similar to those seen in the early stage of tympanosclerosis, can appear in a certain number of cases. As a result, they recommend the aspiration of blood from the middle ear cavity in the cases of middle ear trauma with hematotympanum. They recommend the same procedure for operations of the middle ear, which should be performed with adequate hemostasis to prevent possible tympanosclerosis development.