Biomedical subjects

P A Schachern

Publications and source records attributed to P A Schachern.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Bacterial tympanogenic labyrinthitis, meningitis, and sensorineural damage.

Pathologic changes (sensorineural hearing loss, labyrinthitis, meningitis) can follow otitis media. Various macromolecular substances demonstrably enter the inner ear via the round window membrane, but its permeability to bacteria is less known. We inoculated Streptococcus pneumoniae type 7F bilaterally into the middle ears of two groups of chinchillas, with and without grafted round window membranes. Inner ears of inoculated animals were observed by light and electron microscopy. None with continuous grafts had labyrinthitis. Bacteria penetrated all three layers of nongrafted round window membranes and into all cochlear turns, entering Schuknecht's channels and following neuronal pathways; nerves were often degenerated, hair cells were damaged or missing, and the stria vascularis was edematous and hemorrhagic. The neural damage suggests a mechanism for the hearing loss that can follow otitis media. Absence of labyrinthitis and meningitis in grafted animals suggests a tympanogenic pathway for the bacteria.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Mechanisms of retraction pocket formation in the pediatric tympanic membrane.

The epidemiological nature of acquired cholesteatoma in children has shown that it occurs more often in the posterosuperior quadrant of the pars tensa and in the pars flaccida. This type of cholesteatoma is rarely seen before the age of 3 years, and serous otitis media is the most important risk factor for its occurrence. In an attempt to present a pathological rationale for these clinical findings, tympanic membranes from 11 temporal bones with purulent otitis media and 13 with serous otitis media were evaluated light microscopically and compared with 14 temporal bones without disease. Ages ranged from newborn to 3 years 6 months. The persistence of mesenchyme and greater inflammatory reaction observed in the pars flaccida and the posterosuperior quadrant of the pars tensa and changes in collagen and elastin observed in purulent otitis media and serous otitis media may represent a pathological rationale for the epidemiological nature of cholesteatoma in children.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1992

Temporal bone histopathology in chronically infected ears with intact and perforated tympanic membranes.

Chronic suppurative otitis media has been clinically defined as a chronic discharge from the middle ear in the presence of a perforation of the tympanic membrane. However, irreversible tissue pathology in the middle ear or mastoid can occur behind an intact tympanic membrane. One hundred forty-four human temporal bones with chronic otitis media were divided into two groups: those with perforated (28) and those with nonperforated (116) tympanic membranes. The histopathological findings of their middle ears were compared. Granulation tissue in various degrees was the most prominent pathological feature. It was observed in 96% of temporal bones with perforation of the tympanic membrane, and in 97% of those without perforation. Also found were ossicular bony changes (96% with perforation; 90.5% without), middle ear effusion (93% with perforation; 89% without), cholesterol granuloma (21% with perforation; 12% without), cholesteatoma (36% with perforation; 4% without), and tympanosclerosis (43% with perforation; 20% without). This study shows that the histopathological changes of the middle ear are similar in temporal bones with and without perforation of the tympanic membrane. The clinician should, therefore, be aware that an intact tympanic membrane does not necessarily preclude the presence of gross pathological changes of the middle ear cleft.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Age-related morphologic changes in the human tympanic membrane. A light and electron microscopic study.

To our knowledge, the normal changes that occur in the tympanic membrane after birth have not been described, despite several reports that their otoscopic appearance in healthy, full-term infants is different from that in adults. To provide such a description, the tympanic membranes of 54 temporal bones that had no pathologic evidence of otologic diseases, from patients aged 33 weeks' gestation to 91 years, were examined with light or electron microscopy. The changes encountered in thickness, cellularity, vascularity, collagen, and elastin indicated beyond the first year of life and into old age.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Cellular changes in Reissner's membrane in endolymphatic hydrops.

A quantitative morphologic study of the cellular changes in human Reissner's membrane (RM) was performed under light microscopy on 30 normal temporal bones from 15 subjects, and on 20 temporal bones from 10 subjects with endolymphatic hydrops. The cellular density of the epithelial and mesothelial layers of normal RMs decreased with increasing age. In endolymphatic hydrops, cellular proliferation and decreased cellular density of a distended RM were observed, and these changes occurred more remarkably in epithelial cells. Decreased cellular density in RM was correlated to the degree of endolymphatic hydrops. These findings indicate an involvement of the epithelial cellular changes in the pathogenesis of endolymphatic hydrops. Our results suggest that cellular changes in RM may cause dysfunction of radial flow leading to ionic disturbance of endolymph, which provides a possible mechanism of hearing loss in endolymphatic hydrops.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Histopathology of the tensor tympani muscle in otitis media.

Involvement of the tensor tympani muscle (TTM) and tendon in otitis media have been suggested both clinically and experimentally. Extensive postmortem histopathological studies of the human TTM in cases with known otitis media have not been done. One-hundred-five human temporal bones with and without otitis media were evaluated using light microscopy to determine the pathological changes of the TTM and tendon. Fatty cell infiltration and degenerative changes of the muscle fibers were observed in non-otitis and otitis media groups, but were greater in those cases with otitis media. Inflammatory cell infiltration and fibroblastic reactions occurred more often in chronic and purulent otitis media, and hypercontracted fibers were more frequent in serous and chronic otitis media. This study indicates that the human TTM and tendon are pathologically involved in the inflammatory process of otitis media.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Otopathologic correlates of the continuum of otitis media.

It has been our hypothesis that different types of middle ear effusions and the clinical manifestations with which they are associated represent the typical inflammatory response. Employing an animal model under controlled conditions, we present statistical evidence that change in the mucosa of the middle ear in otitis media can occur along a continuum, with early forms regressing to more chronic stages of the disease. We also demonstrate an increase in the thickness and a decrease in the permeability of the round window membrane in a longitudinal study of otitis media in the same animal model. Histopathologic changes in human temporal bones with otitis media with effusion or chronic otitis media are similar to the changes in the animal models. These results support a concept that all categories of otitis media (serous, purulent, mucoid, and chronic) represent different stages in a continuum of events.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Morphometric studies of the continuum of otitis media.

Morphometric changes in the epithelium and subepithelium of the middle ear mucosa from children younger than 10 years of age were measured at the promontory in 85 temporal bones with otitis media and in 29 normal temporal bones by use of quantitative and semiquantitative methods. Comparisons of morphologic analysis in different otitis media types showed that acute inflammatory changes were usually seen in purulent otitis media with effusion and serous otitis media with effusion, and chronic inflammatory changes were more severe in mucoid otitis media with effusion and chronic otitis media. There were overlaps, however, in histopathologic findings between different types of otitis media that suggest a continuum of otitis media types, with one type of otitis media changing into another type.

Child↗

PubMed1990

Otosclerosis involving the vestibular aqueduct and Menière's disease.

The coexistence of otosclerosis and endolymphatic hydrops in the temporal bone have been described; however, the mechanism for the development of endolymphatic hydrops in otosclerosis remains unknown. Among 128 temporal bones with otosclerosis, involvement of the vestibular aqueduct by otosclerosis was observed in four temporal bones from two patients. In all four, the vestibular aqueduct was filled with active otosclerotic foci; the lumen of the endolymphatic duct and sac was narrowed as a result of fibrosis, and endolymphatic hydrops, more severe in the pars inferior than the pars superior, was observed. Collapse of the ductus reuniens and dilated saccule was seen in three temporal bones. Our study indicates that otosclerotic obstruction of the vestibular aqueduct may create a disturbance of the outflow and/or absorption of endolymph, leading to the development of endolymphatic hydrops and Meniere's disease, thus supporting the theory of longitudinal flow of endolymph.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Histopathology of sudden hearing loss.

Eleven temporal bones from eight patients who had clinical histories of sudden hearing loss (SHL) were studied to assess the possible etiopathogenesis. The origin of SHL in seven ears from five patients was obscure, but appeared to be due to multiple causes. Common histopathologic changes in the cochlea, although complex, included atrophy of the organ of Corti and loss of cochlear neurons. Loss of cochlear neurons was the main finding in ears of viral infection. Labyrinthine fibrosis and formation of new bone were seen in two ears associated with vascular insult and in two ears of autoimmune disease. Different histopathologic findings causing SHL were observed even in cases with the same etiology. A case of SHL showing endolymphatic hydrops as the main histopathologic finding is described.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Otologic histopathology of Fabry's disease.

Fabry's disease is a rare progressive X-linked recessive disorder of glycosphingolipid metabolism. The accumulation of glycosphingolipids occurs in virtually all areas of the body, including the endothelial, perithelial, and smooth-muscle cells of blood vessels, the ganglion cells of the autonomic nervous system, and the glomeruli and tubules of the kidney. Although otologic symptoms have been described in these patients, to our knowledge there have been no temporal bone histopathologic reports. We describe the clinical histories, audiometric results, and temporal bone findings of two patients with this rare disorder. Both patients demonstrated a bilateral sloping sensorineural hearing loss audiometrically. Middle ear findings of seropurulent effusions and hyperplastic mucosa were seen in all four temporal bones. Strial and spiral ligament atrophy in all turns, and hair cell loss mainly in the basal turns, were also common findings. The number of spiral ganglion cells was reduced in all temporal bones; however, evidence of glycosphingolipid accumulation was not observed in the spiral ganglia.

Audiometry↗

PubMed1989

Systemic vasculitis: a temporal bone histopathologic study.

Systemic vasculitis includes a broad spectrum of disorders that may involve blood vessels of any size in any organ system. Systemic vasculitis is associated with immunopathogenic mechanisms. Sixteen temporal bones from eight persons were studied to determine histopathologic changes that occur in systemic vasculitis. Three persons had Wegener's granulomatosis, two had polyarteritis nodosa, and three had systemic lupus erythematosus. Otitis media was seen in 15 ears, with ten ears showing chronic middle ear changes and two showing fibrotic inner ear changes. In Wegener's granulomatosis, granulation tissue was observed around the eustachian tube and protympanum, and in polyarteritis nodosa, inflammatory cell infiltrate and thickened blood vessels were observed around the facial nerve. Although sensorineural hearing loss has been described clinically in systemic lupus erythematosus, the present report describes findings in temporal bones, including severe fibrosis and new bone formation throughout the inner ear.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Survey of interactions between middle ear and inner ear.

Diseases with interaction between the middle ear and inner ear include 1) congenital anomalies, 2) trauma, 3) infection/inflammation, 4) tumors, 5) granulomas, 6) ototoxic eardrops, 7) cochlear implants, 8) otosclerosis, 9) Meniere's disease-decompensated, and Meniere's disease with perilymphatic fistula, and 10) perilymphatic hypertension. Clinical and pathological characteristics are briefly categorized in this survey. The clinical utility of exploratory tympanotomy in diagnosis and treatment of middle ear pathology and middle ear/inner ear interactions is commented upon.

Ear↗

PubMed1989

Diagnosis and treatment of sensorineural hearing loss in children.

Sensorineural hearing loss can arise from a multitude of etiologic factors. In evaluating hearing loss in a child, it is important to determine if the loss is congenital or delayed and if it is genetic or nongenetic in origin. Examples of etiologies based on this classification are given, including the symptoms and extent of impairment. Determining the extent and etiology of hearing impairment is only the first step; the aim is to maximize the speech and language development of the hearing-impaired child.

Child↗

PubMed1988

Perilymphatic hypertension.

A syndrome termed perilymphatic hypertension is described as being seen in a small subset of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A patent or semipatent cochlear aqueduct or modiolus are considered precursors to this condition. Perilymphatic hypertension is believed to predispose to perilymphatic fistula, which may be part of the process of resolution. The pathogenesis for perilymphatic hypertension and fistula are hypothesized and discussed. Treatment for this subset of patients consisted of paracentesis of the round window membrane followed by grafting, with improvement of hearing in certain patients. In no instance did hearing subsequently decrease.

Auditory Threshold↗

PubMed1987

The permeability of the round window membrane during otitis media.

Studies of the permeability of the round window membrane (RWM) during otitis media are important because toxins and cellular components that occur in otitis media as well as pharmacologic agents used in treating the disease have the potential to cross the RWM and pass into the inner ear. Twenty-five cats were evaluated electron microscopically as to the passage of a tracer, horseradish peroxidase, through normal RWMs and RWMs three days, one week, and two weeks following eustachian tube obstruction. Passage at three days following obstruction was similar to passage through the normal RWM. Following one to two weeks of obstruction, the permeability of the membrane was drastically reduced. The reduction in permeability was probably due to the presence of residual effusion overlying the membrane, the presence of granulation tissue within the niche, and a thickening of the RWM.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Thickness of the human round window membrane in different forms of otitis media.

The thickness and morphologic characteristics of the round window membrane were evaluated in temporal bones from normal subjects as well as those with serous otitis media, purulent otitis media, and chronic otitis media. Temporal bones were studied in chronological order in six age ranges to determine the possibility of age-related differences. No significant difference in the mean thickness of the round window membrane was observed in terms of age groups in normal temporal bones or temporal bones from patients with otitis media; however, a significant difference in the mean thickness was observed in the various forms of otitis media compared with the normal round window membrane in all age groups. The membrane was thickest in patients with chronic otitis media when compared with that in normal subjects or those with serous or purulent otitis media. The epithelial layer (including the subepithelial space) and the fibrous layer were measured individually to determine in which layer the change in mean thickness occurred. These measurements showed an involvement of all layers of the round window membrane in those groups with otitis media, with maximal involvement of the combined epithelial layer and subepithelial space.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Current clinical and pathological features of round window diseases.

The round window niche and membrane can be involved in clinical problems including perilymphatic fistulas, sensorineural hearing loss in otitis media, and a variety of others. The background of these problems is documented by a review of the literature and recent experimental evidence on round window grafting and tracer studies. Clinical pathological correlates including recent clinical experience are discussed for perilymphatic fistulas (sudden deafness, chronic progressive fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, and association with Meniere's disease), sensorineural hearing loss in acute and chronic otitis media, and findings in round window membrane including absent round window reflex in cases of exploratory tympanotomy and otosclerosis. In addition, a new syndrome termed perilymphatic hypertension is described as seen in a subset of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Cochlea↗