[Stapedectomy in tympanosclerosis].

Twenty-six cases (28 ears) of tympanosclerosis had been operated on by stapedectomy in the past 14 years. The hearing had been followed up for more than two years in 11 ears with the longest one for 8 years. Eight cases had their hearing kept steady, 3 gradually became worse. Tympanosclerosis may occur in any part of the middle ear, rarely involves the antrum and the mastoid cellular system, but often affects the drum head. We have recognized three types of tympanosclerosis: epitympanic, tympanic and stapedial types. Pathologically there are two patterns, non-invasive superficial type (sclerosing mucositis) in which the adjacent mucosa and periosteum remain intact, and a deeper invasive type (osteoclastic mucoperiostitis) in which there is progressive bone destruction. Twenty-six ears with sclerosing mucositis were operated on by stapedectomy, and the another two by fenestration operation because of firmly fixed stapes by the sclerotic lesions.