39
Views
19
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Gas Exchange Function through the Middle Ear Mucosa in Piglets: Comparative Study of Normal and Inflamed Ears

Pages 72-77 | Published online: 08 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

The gas exchange function through the middle ear (ME) mucosa was investigated by comparing normal and inflamed ears in an animal model. Piglets were examined (n=15) because their tympanic bulla closely resembles the human mastoid air cell system. Four untreated ears served as controls. Eleven ears were injected with glycerin into the tympanic bulla to induce inflammation and were studied as inflamed ears. Two respiratory conditions, spontaneous respiration and hyperventilation by a ventilator, were alternated repeatedly. ME pressure was measured intermittently by a tympanometer and blood gas was measured simultaneously. In all four normal ears, both ME pressure and carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressure in the blood decreased in parallel following alternation of the respiratory conditions from spontaneous respiration to hyperventilation, while both pressure levels increased in parallel when respiration was changed from hyperventilation to spontaneous respiration. This result indicates that there is a gas exchange between the ME and the blood through the mucosa. However, ME pressure change in inflamed ears was limited, though the change in CO2 partial pressure in the blood was the same as that in normal ears. There was a significant difference in the degree of ME pressure change occurring in normal ears compared to that in inflamed ears, suggesting that inflammation of the mucosa reduced gas exchange function in the ME.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.