An experimental model for tympanosclerosis. A preliminary report.

This study deals with an animal model where tympanosclerosis could be evoked with high reproducibility during the course of a sterile otitis media, induced by Eustachian tube obstruction. The histopathological features of this induced lesion were very similar to those reported in human specimens. It was concluded that this process is most probably triggered by a mechanical deformation of the tympanic membrane.