Possible Relationship Between Tympanosclerosis and Atherosclerosis

Objectives. In order to confirm a possible link, suggested by a recent study, between atherosclerosis and tympanosclerosis, and which could theoretically open new frontiers in the early diagnosis of vascular atherosclerotic diseases starting from a rather simple and rapid examination such as otoscopy, we further investigated this hypothesis in a population affected by atherosclerotic disease of the carotid artery. Material and Methods. Fifty patients submitted to carotid endoarteriectomy were examined. Previous otologic diseases and otosurgical procedures had been excluded. The presence of tympanosclerosis was defined if 20% of the eardrum at least appeared interested by tympanic plaques. The study group was compared to a sex and age matched control group randomly chosen inside our hospital with a negative history for vascular and otologic diseases. Results. Tympanosclerosis was observed in 18/50 patients (36%) of the study group compared to 6/50 cases of the control group (12%). This difference was statistically significant (p= 0.005). In both groups the incidence of this finding was similar in both sexes. Conclusions. Our results confirm the reported analogies between tympanosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Although further investigations are needed, promising implications may be supposed in the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of this kind of ear patients.