Bone Damage in Chronic Otitis Media.

Ear, nose, & throat journal 2022 Aug

The middle ear bone destruction in chronic otitis media is activated and regulated by inflammation. Chronic otitis media with granulation is a highly active inflammatory process in which many cytokines are released. The bone is degraded by osteoclasts but, at the same time, protected by cytokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules and osteotropic hormones. Tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and OPG/RANKL present in cholesteatoma and granulation accelerate bone lysis and increase the destructive effect on the middle ear.