Morphological Changes in the Round Window Membrane Associated with Haemophilus influenzae-Induced Acute Otitis Media in the Chinchilla

摘要

ObjectiveThe round window membrane (RWM) encloses the round window, the opening into the scala tympani (ST) from the middle ear. During the course of acute otitis media (AOM), structural changes of the RWM can occur that potentially affect sound transmission into and out of the cochlea. The relationship between such structural changes and conductive hearing loss during AOM has remained unclear. The focus of the current study was to compare the thickness distribution across the RWM surface between normal ears and those with AOM in the chinchilla. We the occurrence of AOM-associated histological changes in this membrane compared to uninfected control animals after AOM of two relatively short durations.