[A light and electron microscopic study of the squamous epithelium of the external canal and drum in experimentally induced cholesteatoma in guinea pigs].

The skin of the postero-superior part of the meatus and drum of guinea pigs was treated with enbucrylate and examined via light microscope and electron microscope after three weeks. The squamous epithelium was thickened with extensive rete pegs in the subepithelial space. The epithelial cells were loosely arranged and their nuclei pathologically changed. In the oedematous perimatrix small finger-like epithelial proliferations and activated mesenchymal cells could be seen.