An experimental study of mucociliary pathology of the eustachian tube in otitis media with effusion induced by irradiation

• Published in: Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 1989-01, Vol.246 (6), p.428-432
• Main Authors: OHASHI, Y, NAKAI, Y, ESAKI, Y, ONOYAMA, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cilia - radiation effects; Cilia - ultrastructure; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Eustachian Tube - physiopathology; Eustachian Tube - radiation effects; Eustachian Tube - ultrastructure; Guinea Pigs; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Non tumoral diseases; Otitis Media with Effusion - etiology; Otitis Media with Effusion - pathology; Otitis Media with Effusion - physiopathology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0302-9530; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00464303

We have examined the function and fine structure of the mucociliary system of the eustachian tube in an experimental study of otitis media with effusion induced by X-ray irradiation. Functional examination demonstrated that the ciliary activity was diminished in such a condition, while morphological observations showed pathological findings including compound cilia, vacuolation of ciliated cells and expansion of intercellular space. These findings show that irradiation-induced otitis media with effusion results in impairment of the mucociliary system. As evidenced by these studies, the mucociliary system in the eustachian tube has an important role in the clearance of fluid produced in the tympanic cavity as well as affording improvement in this disease.