The effect of topical sodium thiosulfate in experimentally induced myringosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of topical sodium thiosulfate (STS) in experimentally induced myringosclerosis (MS).

STUDY

DESIGN

A prospective experimental animal study.

METHODS

Thirty Wistar albino rats were bilaterally myringotomized. The right ears were treated with STS or saline daily, and the left ears were left untreated and used as controls. The tympanic membranes were observed by otoendoscopy weekly, and tympanometric measurements were performed. All animals were histopathologically examined for myringosclerotic plaques.

RESULTS

Under otoendoscopy, myringosclerosis were observed around the handle of the malleus and near the annular region. The numbers of myringosclerotic ears were significantly more frequent in control and saline groups compared with the STS group (P < .05), and the formation of MS was more severe in control and saline groups compared with STS group (P < .05). Using tympanometric measurement, significantly reduced magnitudes of maximum admittance were observed in control and saline groups compared to normal and STS groups (P < .05). Under histopathologic examination, the tympanic membrane of the STS group appeared thinner than the control group (P < .05), with reduced calcium deposition than control and saline groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that sodium thiosulfate has a preventive role in the development of myringosclerosis in the experimental animal model.