An investigation of otosclerotic foci in stapes superstructure and evaluation of results using audiometric data.

Objectives: To investigate the stapes superstructure removed during surgical procedure under a light microscope, see whether the stapes superstructure was directly or indirectly affected by otosclerosis, and evaluate the results using the audiometric data.

Methods: Histologic section of the stapes superstructures of 30 patients operated for otosclerosis were retrospectively analysed.

Results: There were no obvious active/inactive otosclerotic foci in the investigated stapes superstructures. Nevertheless, stapes superstructures had certain histopathologic findings that were not normally expected. Patients with otosclerotic alterations (Group 1) and without otosclerotic alterations (Group 2) were compared by pre-operative and post-operative air conduction, bone conduction, and air-bone gap.

Conclusion: The stapes superstructure contained degenerative findings similar to osteoarthritis of long bones and histopathologic changes that might be considered significant in terms of otosclerosis. Nevertheless, these changes did not significantly affect pre-operative and post-operative pure tone audiometry data. This is the first study known to us that investigated the stapes superstructure from the otosclerosis perspective, and the cases were assessed in combination with audiometric data.