Publication
Title
Functional effects of repeated pressure loads upon the tympanic membrane: mechanical stiffness measurements after simulated habitual sniffing
Author
Abstract
In experimental studies it was found that otitis media causes stiffness loss in the tympanic membrane, possible precursors to retraction pockets and cholesteatoma. Besides otitis media habitual sniffing behaviour is associated with the development of retractions. The present study aims to test the hypothesis that repeated sniffing manoeuvre may cause not only structural, epithelial tympanic membrane changes presumed to be possible precursors to retractions, but also tympanic membrane stiffness loss, another possible mediator for the development of retractions. An experimental model with a pressure chamber was used to mimic the pressure conditions for the tympanic membrane in habitual sniffers ears. The stiffness properties of twelve Mongolian gerbil tympanic membranes were measured with moiré interferometry after varying time up to 12 days with repeated pressure loading. Three days later, lower overall displacement were obtained in two ears; after 712 days the displacement readings were normal. This study with maximum of 12 days of pressure loading did not verify the hypothesis that habitual sniffing impairs the stiffness of the tympanic membrane.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology / European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies; European Laryngological Society. - Berlin, 1990, currens
Publication
Berlin : Springer , 2009
ISSN
0937-4477 [print]
1434-4726 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S00405-008-0906-3
Volume/pages
266 :8 (2009) , p. 1219-1224
ISI
000267661600009
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 26.08.2009
Last edited 25.05.2022
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