[Cholesteatoma, oto- and tympanosclerosis: their general mechanism of tissue destruction (author's transl)].

The connective tissue contains extracellular enzymes for the turnover of the ground substance. If this enzyme system gets out of control there is development of a complex metabolic disturbance of all tissue components. The lysosomal dysfunction is the basis of the general mechanism of tissue destruction in cholesteatoma, oto- and tympanosclerosis. This process seems most enhanced in cholesteatoma. Emphasis is placed on the role of extracellular lysosomes (= matrix vesicles).