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Middle Ear Disorders

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Immunology of ENT Disorders

Part of the book series: Immunology and Medicine Series ((IMME,volume 23))

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Abstract

Immunological responses fulfil a vital protective role in the middle ear cavity. This is most evident with the onset of bacterial or viral infections from the upper respiratory tract. On occasions, however, incomplete resolution of these infections occurs, and immune mechanisms may inadvertently cause or contribute to the development of secondary disorders. Commonest, and hence most important, of these conditions is otitis media with effusion. There is accumulating evidence to suggest that protective immune mechanisms may contribute to enhanced local bone resorption in acquired cholesteatoma, and the pathogenesis of otosclerosis in genetically susceptible individuals. In addition, `immune protection’ is an unwanted phenomenon when allograft tissues or synthetic materials are implanted during tympanomastoid reconstructive surgery, and may compromise functional results. This chapter presents an overview of the role of immune processes in these various middle ear disorders.

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Authors
  1. G. B. Brookes
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital, Gray’s Inn Road, London, UK

    G. K. Scadding (Consultant Rhinologist) (Consultant Rhinologist)

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© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Brookes, G.B. (1994). Middle Ear Disorders. In: Scadding, G.K. (eds) Immunology of ENT Disorders. Immunology and Medicine Series, vol 23. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1436-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1436-3_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4629-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1436-3

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