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The behaviour of tympanic membrane perforations in tissue culture: a scanning electron microscopic study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Erling Grønvold Olsen
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tromsö, Tromsö, Norway and the Department of Otolaryngology
Lars-Eric Stenfors*
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Central Hospital of Keski-Pohjanmaa, Kokkola, Finland
*
Professor Lars-Eric Stenfors, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tromsö, N-9038 Tromsö, Norway

Abstract

The effects of keeping rat tympanic membranes with an artificially made pars tensa perforation in tissue culture were observed under a scanning electron microscope. After one day and onwards, spreading and thickening of the keratinizing, outer squamous epithelium (OE) was noted. In addition, ballooning of the innermost cells of the outer epithelium apposing the inner tympanic epithelium (IE) was seen. No appreciable reaction was noted in the connective tissue layer of the drum. The inner tympanic epithelium appeared to be swollen, containing spherical structures in the cytoplasm, especially close to the area of contact with the outer meatal epithelium. No complete cover of the drum defect was seen after 14 days of tissue culture. Hyperplasia and spreading of the keratinizing, outer squamous epithelium of the drum is not sufficient to achieve covering of a drum perforation and complete healing cannot take place unless supported by granulation tissue formation.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1993

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