[The manifestation and significance of vimentin-9 in the otosclerotic stapes].

Vimentin-9 is a special marker for identification of fibroblast. By the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex staining method, monoclonal anti-vimentin-9 was used to observe the role of fibroblasts in the development of otosclerosis. The results showed that fibroblasts were involved in the ossification process of the otosclerrotic lesions. Hence, the monoclonal anti-vimentin-9 might be an objective marker to identify the type and the developmental tendency of the otosclerotic process.