Possible relationship between tympanosclerosis and atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

In order to confirm a possible link, as suggested by a recent study, between atherosclerosis and tympanosclerosis, and which could theoretically open new frontiers in the early diagnosis of vascular atherosclerotic diseases starting from a rather simple and rapid examination such as otoscopy, we further investigated this hypothesis in a population affected by atherosclerotic disease of the carotid artery.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Fifty patients submitted to carotid endarterectomy were examined. Patients with a history of previous otologic diseases or otosurgical procedures were excluded. The presence of tympanosclerosis was defined if at least 20% of the eardrum was affected by tympanic plaques. The study group was compared to a sex- and age-matched control group randomly chosen from our hospital with a negative history of vascular and otologic diseases.

RESULTS

Tympanosclerosis was observed in 18/50 patients (36%) in the study group, compared to 6/50 cases in the control group (12%). This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). In both groups the incidence of this finding was similar for both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm the reported analogies between tympanosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Although further investigations are needed, promising implications can be predicted for the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of this kind of ear patient.