Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1997 Jan;40(1):76-81.

Distribution of Cytokeratins in Cholesteatomas according to the Induction Period of Cholesteatoma in Gerbil

• Kim CS
• Chung JW
• Choi SH

Abstract

The exact pathogenesis of aural cholesteatoma is not yet fully understood in spite of many studies. Animal models are very important in studying the pathogenesis of aural cholesteatoma because such models can provide large quantities of tissue and the environment is easily controlled. Distribution of cytokeratins in experimentally induced aural choesteatoma was studied in gerbils. Success rate of the induction of cholesteatoma was 60% to 100% according to the duration of external auditory canal ligation. In cholesteatomas, the distribution of cytokeratin was similar to that in external auditory canal skin, but different from that in middle ear mucosa. Among all cholesteatomas with different duration of external auditory canal ligation, the distribution of cytokeratin was same. The results of this study suggest that the external auditory canal ligation is successful and reproducible method in making experimental aural cholesteatoma in gerbil, and the cholesteatoma can be induced by the migration of external auditory canal skin. The cytoskeleton of cholesteatoma may be changed at certain time in the course of cholesteatoma while the characteristic pattern of cytoskeleton may not be changed.

Keyword

Cholesteatoma; External auditory canal ligation; Cytokeratin; Pathogenesis; Animal model

MeSH Terms

Cholesteatoma*
Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear
Cytoskeleton
Ear Canal
Ear, Middle
Gerbillinae*
Keratins*
Ligation
Models, Animal
Mucous Membrane
Skin
Keratins