Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue in Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube

The presence of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) was investigated histopathologically in every 20th section from 99 vertically cut, celloidin-embedded temporal bone—eustachian tube (ET) specimens. Among specimens from infants and children between 1 month and 7 years of age, MALT was found in 22 of 44 (50%). However, in 26 adults over 18 years of age, MALT was found in only 2 specimens (7.7%), a significantly lower incidence than that in infants and children. Moreover, MALT did not appear in any of the 21 neonates under the age of 1 month. All 99 specimens were classified into 2 groups: 41 specimens with otitis media (OM) and 58 specimens without OM. The presence of MALT was significantly higher in specimens with OM (43.9%) than in specimens without OM (13.8%). Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue was found in the ET, middle ear, and mastoid process in 18 specimens (43.9%), 5 specimens (12.2%), and 1 specimen (2.4%) with OM, respectively, and in 8 (13.8%), 0, and 0 specimens without OM. In regard to t...