Progress in temporal bone histopathology. II. Immuno-technology applied to the temporal bone.

By using monoclonal antibodies against cell-membrane receptors the cellular composition of an aural cholesteatoma can be determined. Langerhans' cells and T-lymphocytes predominate in the cholesteatoma matrix. The normal human tympanic membrane is devoid of these cells. Immuno-technology applied to the inner ear is illustrated by tracing gentamicin in the cochlea with a polyvalent anti-gentamicin antiserum in serial sections. In an animal model gentamicin is detectable through this method. From 3 days on, after daily i.p. injection of 100 mg gentamicin/kg body weight, the drug accumulates in the outer hair cells.