Middle ear mucosa and chronic ear disease. III. Enzyme studies of thick noncholesteatomous epithelium.

Abstract

Thick mucosa removed from the promontory in cases with chronic otitis media showed prominent PAS-positive glands and epithelial secretory cells. Alcian blue positivity was less pronounced, contrary to the mucosa from glue ears. Enzyme activity in the epithelium and propria was comparable to that in glue ears, with some increase in alkaline phosphatase and some decrease in proprial lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activity. Removal of thick, permanently altered mucoas is recommended even in the absence of squamous epithelium. Steps should be taken to allow regrowth of thin, normal middle ear epithelium on the promontory.