Subepithelial space in otitis media.

The role of the subepithelial space (SES) has not received sufficient attention in assessing pathogenesis, pathology, and therefore, clinical diagnosis and treatment of the various forms of otitis media (OM). Temporal bones from patients with OM were classified as cases of acute purulent (POM), serous (SOM), mucoid or secretory (MOM), or chronic otitis media (COM). Controlled morphometric studies were made of cellular components of the SES, along with studies of the epithelium and middle ear space. Corollary studies of biochemistry, cellular components, and prostaglandins (PGs) were done on fluid from the human middle ear. Middle ear effusions (MEE) from animal models of SOM, MOM, and POM were analyzed biochemically. Findings are surprising in that the SES was more actively involved in all forms of OM than had been thought, especially in MOM and COM. Implications are discussed.