The Flexible Endaural Tympanoplasty

Contralateral Ear in Chronic Otitis Media: A Histologic Study

“…As such, if the more damaged ear is already in the final stages of the continuum, the CLE, also inserted in this dynamic process of change, is already at a point closer to chronification than to normality. This situation represents what Costa et al, used to call the “crystal ball effect.” 6,11 In other words, the ears should be analyzed as an intrinsically related pair and not as an isolated unit. Frequently, the most affected ear can predict the future status of the contralateral side.…”

“…This situation represents what Costa et al, used to call the "crystal ball effect." 6,11 In other words, the ears should be analyzed as an intrinsically related pair and not as an isolated unit. Frequently, the most affected ear can predict the future status of the contralateral side.…”

“…The presence of cholesteatoma, characterized by the intrusion of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium into the middle ear cleft, is associated with greater damage, promoting more intense erosion of the adjacent bony structures and leading to a higher frequency of complications 5 . Treatment for COM continues to be eminently surgical, generally ameliorating the sequelae, which in some cases are permanent 6,7 . Several studies have been conducted to elucidate the pathogenesis of COM.…”

“…5 Treatment for COM continues to be eminently surgical, generally ameliorating the sequelae, which in some cases are permanent. 6,7 Several studies have been conducted to elucidate the pathogenesis of COM. One of the proposed hypotheses is the continuum theory, in which Paparella et al 8 postulate that otitis media exists throughout a continuous series of events.…”

Evaluation of the Contralateral Ear in Patients with Chronic Otitis Media

“…Accordingly, it is said that if a pathologic condition starts and then becomes chronic on one side, then a contralateral abnormality emerges. It has also been suggested that the ears are not independent organs from each other and that the worse side determines the prognosis [3,12]. Limitations of this study are the lack of tympanometric and radiologic evaluations.…”