Mast cell ultrastructure in the adenoids of children with and without secretory otitis media.

This study was designed to compare the differences in morphology of the mast cells from the adenoid in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) and those from children with recurrent tonsillitis. Tissue for electron microscopy was prepared in the standard manner and between three and 10 blocks were examined for each child. All the mast cells with nuclei were photographed and the condition of the granules noted. The number of electron dense granules in each cell was assessed on a scale between zero and 10. Sixteen unselected children with OME were compared with 19 children with recurrent tonsillitis. There were no obvious differences in the degree of degranulation between the two groups although there was more vacuolation than previously described in the normal nose but less than in those patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Allergy and mast cell reactions do not seem to predispose to OME. It was concluded that the adenoids are not the ideal tissue in which to study normal mast cells.