The microslicing method in the study of temporal bone changes in the perinatal period: an interim report.

The microslicing method was used to study the temporal bones of 49 perinatal deaths in the gross. X ray of the temporal bones was an important part of the investigation. The principle pathological changes were clearly observed. They were: acute otitis media in two cases; an anterior crural deformity of the stapes in four infants and haemorrhage of the apex of the fundus of the internal auditory meatus in 12. Primitive mesenchymal tissue was frequently seen in the infants of younger gestational age, but had largely disappeared by term.