Histopathological Patterns of Otosclerosis Progression: Exploring Otic Capsule and Round Window Involvement.

OBJECTIVES

Obliteration of the round window (RW) in cases of otosclerosis presents a significant clinical challenge due to its association with more severe hearing loss and a poorer prognosis for functional recovery after stapes surgery. The objective is to assess and characterize the occurrence of RW involvement in otosclerosis cases and to identify patterns of disease progression that may indicate a potential for RW obliteration.

METHODS

We selected archival temporal bones from donors with otosclerosis. We evaluated the degree of RW obliteration using a semi-quantitative scale and the location of the foci within the temporal bone, and whether the foci were continuous or isolated.

RESULTS

Most of the foci were located anteriorly to the oval window (89.2%), while RW area involvement was seen in 26.9% of the ears. In cases with fenestral foci, 68.1% directly involved and/or fixed the footplate. Among donors with bilateral otosclerosis, foci affected both ears in a similar pattern in 64.2%. Among donors with RW involvement, ones with continuous, large lesions that extended from the oval window associated with complete RW obliteration, while ones with smaller degrees of obliteration had solitary foci scattered within the otic capsule.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate a high rate of RW involvement in cases of otosclerosis. Ears with continuous lesions extending from the oval window region to the RW area were more likely to present with complete RW obliteration. These results provide insights that could lead to better prognostic assessment of patients with otosclerosis in the future.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 135:324-330, 2025.