The histological patterns of normal and inflamed middle ear mucosa.

Thirty temporal bones from infants up to the age of 24 months were chosen randomly. Bones were sectioned serially and studied histologically. Inflammatory cellular and mucoid elements were identified and evaluated semiquantitatively. Some inflammatory infiltration was found in all 30 ears. Seven ears from infants up to 1 month of age presented inflammatory infiltration only. Twenty-three ears presented both cellular and mucoid elements. All temporal bones exhibiting mucoid elements showed concomitant cellular inflammatory infiltration. Practically no temporal bones in this age group were free of inflammatory elements, with secretory features appearing chronologically after the cellular ones.