Histopathology of Otitis Media in Infants with Cleft and High Arched Palates

Abstract

The middle ear, and the bony and cartilaginous portions of the Eustachian tube were studied histopathologically in 20 temporal bones of 19 infants aged 45 minutes to 12 months. Otitis media (OM) was more severe in the ears of cleft palate infants and was found in 17 of 20 bones studied. 16 of 17 bones with OM also had effusion present. Inflammation was present in the bony portion of the Eustachian tube in 15 of 17 bones with OM, but appeared to be less marked than that present in the middle ear. Inflammation of the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube also appeared to be less severe than in the bony portion of the tube. Inflammation of the middle ear and the Eustachian tube appeared more pronounced in older infants, especially in those with cleft palate.