Roychowdhury P, Castillo‐Bustamante M, Polanik MD, Kozin ED, Remenschneider AK. Ossicular joint histopathology in cases of age-related hearing loss.
Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2024;
9:e1197. [PMID:
38362192 PMCID:
PMC10866602 DOI:
10.1002/lio2.1197]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a prevalent condition traditionally attributed to inner ear dysfunction. Little is known about age-related changes in the ossicular joints or their contribution to presbycusis. Herein, we performed an otopathologic evaluation of the ossicular joints in cases of presbycusis without a clear sensorineural explanation.
Methods
Histopathologic analysis of the incudomallear (IM) and incudostapedial (IS) joints was performed in specimens from the National Temporal Bone Registry with audiometrically confirmed presbycusis but without histologically observed sensorineural, strial, or mixed features; deemed cases of "indeterminate" presbycusis. Specimens identified as "indeterminate" presbycusis (IP, n = 18) were compared to specimens with histologically confirmed sensorineural presbycusis (n = 16) and strial presbycusis (n = 11). Presbycutic specimens were also compared to age-matched controls (n = 9) and young controls (n = 14).
Results
The synovial space at the center of the IM joint was wider in the IP group (194 ± 36.8 μm) compared to age-matched controls (138 ± 36.5 μm), young controls (149 ± 32.2 μm), and ears with sensorineural presbycusis (148 ± 52.7 μm) (p < .05). The synovial space within the IS joint was wider in the IP group (105 ± 33.0 μm) when compared to age-matched controls (57.9 ± 13.1 μm) and ears with sensorineural presbycusis (62.3 ± 31.2 μm) (p < .05).
Conclusion
IP ears have wider IM and IS joints when compared to ears with sensorineural presbycusis and age-matched controls. Findings point to a potential middle ear source of high frequency conductive hearing loss in a subset of presbycutic ears.
Level of Evidence
Retrospective study.
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