OBJECTIVETo explore the role of microvessel density in acquired middle ear cholesteatoma, to analyze it playing the possible role in proliferative ability of cholesteatoma epidermis.

METHODSThe specimens from 15 cases acquired middle ear cholesteatoma patients having typical perforation in the posterior fold (the adjacent skin around perforation and the normal deep external ear skin) were examined by immunohistochemical ABC method. The microvessel density was analyzed by computer, and was compared with 20 cases non-cholesteatoma otitis media's the adjacent skin around perforation.

RESULTSCounts of microvessel and relative area of all microvessels per image in the adjacent skin around perforation were 14.395 +/- 2.000 and (9.927 +/- 2.600)%, respectively. These were significantly higher than the normal deep external ear skin's with the average of 6.218 +/- 0.949 and (5.076 +/- 0.807)% in 15 cases acquired middle ear cholesteatoma patients (P < 0.001). The adjacent skin around perforation of cholesteatoma was also significantly higher than non-cholesteatoma's with the average of 6.163 +/- 1.051 and (5.785 +/- 1.428)% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe adjacent skin around perforation in human middle ear cholesteatoma had a relatively hyperproliferative ability.