Otosclerosis: Temporal Bone Pathology

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2018 Apr;51(2):291-303. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2017.11.001. Epub 2018 Feb 3.

Abstract

Otosclerosis is pathologically characterized by abnormal bony remodeling, which includes bone resorption, new bone deposition, and vascular proliferation in the temporal bone. Sensorineural hearing loss in otosclerosis is associated with extension of otosclerosis to the cochlear endosteum and deposition of collagen throughout the spiral ligament. Persistent or recurrent conductive hearing loss after stapedectomy has been associated with incomplete footplate fenestration, poor incus-prosthesis connection, and incus resorption in temporal bone specimens. Human temporal bone pathology has helped to define the role of computed tomography imaging for otosclerosis, confirming that computed tomography is highly sensitive for diagnosis, yet limited in assessing cochlear endosteal involvement.

Keywords: Otopathology; Otosclerosis; Temporal bone pathology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Hearing Loss, Conductive / etiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Otosclerosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Otosclerosis / pathology*
  • Otosclerosis / surgery*
  • Stapes Surgery / adverse effects
  • Temporal Bone / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed