Correlation of cholesteatomas perimatrix thickness with patient's age

Abstract

Cholesteatoma may occur either in children as in adults; in children, however, they have a more aggressive and extensive growth.

Objective: To compare the thickness of the perimatrix, in microm, between adults (>18 years old) and children cholesteatomas.

Study design: transversal cohort.

Material and method: 74 cholesteatomas (35 of children) obtained from othologic surgeries were included, fixed in formol 10%. It was made laminas with HE and Picrossisius, with were studied at the optic microscope. We obtained digital images of the laminas at the Image Pro-Plus and we used Spearman's coefficient for data analysis. Differences were considered statistically significant if P.

Figure 1

Digital images of the slide, with cross-section of the cholesteatoma, stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. We can see three forming parts: A - A perimatrix - subepithelial connective tissue, containing collagen, elastic fibers, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. B - A matrix - epithelium similar to normal skin epidermis. C - Cystic content - formed by keratin.

Figure 2

In this image we can see the same sample stained with HE (A) and Picrosirius (B).

Figure 3

Image of the screen of software ImagePro Plus Media Cybernetics, showing a cross-section of cholesteatoma with the respective perimatrix measurements.

Figure 4

Graphs of Linear Regression between the ages and variables mean, median, minimum and maximum values, delta and sum.