[Pathogenic immune factors in recurrent mucous tympanic effusion in children].

In children with recurrent secretory otitis media (SOM) a mechanical malfunction of the Tuba Eustachii (by adenoids, myogenous palatotubal insufficiency, persistent cartilaginous collapse of the tube) should be taken into consideration as well as immunological factors of the lymphatic structures of the pharynx which may influence the tubotympanal mucosa. The pharyngeal tonsil and the tubotympanal mucosa are part of the immune system of the mucosa which itself has a regulating immunological function and importance as do the central and peripheral lymphatic organs. The lymphatic ring of Waldeyer regulates the reactivity of the tubotympanal mucosa in a similar way as the plaques of Peyer do control and influence immunologically the mucosa of the guts.

Histochemical studies of cholesteatoma.

Frozen sections of cholesteatomas were compared with postauricular and auditory canal skin and studied using histochemical methods. Several dehydrogenases, lysosomal enzymes and proteolytic activity were studied. Lactate and malate dehydrogenase activity was very strong in the epithelium and subepithelial tissue of cholesteatomas; no succinate dehydrogenase activity was observed.