Otitis media (OM) is the most prevalent disease among young children and costs society about $1 billion dollars annually (NIDCD Annual Report, 1991). Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction has long been implicated as a contributory factor in OM. However, the specific morphological features of the ET which may result in tubal dysfunction and subsequent middle ear (ME) disease have not been identified. This proposal will examine morphological features of the ET-ME in 3 groups of individuals that are susceptible to OM and have distinctive patterns of ME dysfunction: children, cleft palate (CP) and Downs syndrome (DS) patients. Histopathological features in these groups will be compared to the results of analysis of the same structures in normal adults. Sando and colleagues have developed a unique technique for harvesting the temporal bone and entire ET-ME system as a single specimen. These researchers presently have 109 of such specimens available for the proposed study; with funding, it is estimated that 20 specimens per year can be added (from children, CP and DS patients). The studies to be performed include standard otopathological examination (i.e., H&E), special staining in celloidin and immunohistochemical techniques. Anatomical/histopathological features to be examined and quantified include: 1) the spatial relations between the ET and associated structures; 2) variations in tissue organization and cytology; 3) elastin content of cartilage and connective tissue as an indicator of tissue pliability; 4) patterns of expression of myosin isoforms in the tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini muscles as an indicator of muscle function; and 5) T-cells, B-cells, and macrophages in the ET lumen, ET connective tissue, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue as an indicator of immunological susceptibility. By comparing results of these analyses across subject groups, potential risk factors will be identified for the development of OM and strategies can be developed for prevention.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC000123-20
Application #
2443552
Study Section
Hearing Research Study Section (HAR)
Project Start
1978-12-22
Project End
2001-06-30
Budget Start
1997-07-01
Budget End
1998-06-30
Support Year
20
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Orita, Yorihisa; Sando, Isamu; Miura, Makoto et al. (2003) Postnatal changes in the connective tissue in the region lateral to the eustachian tube: possible relationship to tube function. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 112:716-21
Hasebe, Seishi; Sando, Isamu; Orita, Yorihisa (2003) Proximity of carotid canal wall to tympanic membrane: a human temporal bone study. Laryngoscope 113:802-7
Orita, Yorihisa; Sando, Isamu; Hasebe, Seishi et al. (2003) Postnatal change on the location of Ostmann's fatty tissue in the region lateral to Eustachian tube. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 67:1105-12
Takasaki, Kenji; Sando, Isamu; Balaban, Carey D et al. (2002) Functional anatomy of the tensor veli palatini muscle and Ostmann's fatty tissue. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 111:1045-9
Sando, Isamu; Orita, Yorihisa; Hirsch, Barry E (2002) Pathology and pathophysiology of Meniere's disease. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 35:517-28
Ishijima, Ken; Sando, Isamu; Balaban, Carey D et al. (2002) Functional anatomy of levator veli palatini muscle and tensor veli palatini muscle in association with eustachian tube cartilage. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 111:530-6
Miura, Makoto; Sando, Isamu; Balaban, Carey D et al. (2002) Temporal bone morphometric study on the eustachian tube and its associated structures in patients with chromosomal aberrations. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 111:722-9
Miura, Makoto; Sando, Isamu; Hirsch, Barry E et al. (2002) Analysis of spiral ganglion cell populations in children with normal and pathological ears. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 111:1059-65
Miura, Makoto; Sando, Isamu; Hirsch, Barry E et al. (2002) Anomaly of the eustachian tube and its associated structures in patients with multiple congenital malformation: a histopathological and morphometric study. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 64:207-16
Orita, Yorihisa; Sando, Isamu; Hirsch, Barry E et al. (2002) Postnatal development of the eustachian tube glands. Laryngoscope 112:1647-52

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