PLUGGING OF VASCULAR CANALS IN OTIC CAPSULE

Osteocyte loss, micropetrosis and vascular canal plugging are manifestations of physiologic aging of bone. Such changes in the otic capsule were found to increase with increasing age. Greatly increased numbers of plugged vascular canals with osteocyte loss, micropetrosis and erosions were found in patients with severe generalized arteriosclerosis. The number of plugged vascular canals in specimens with otosclerosis of the stapediovestibular joint was comparable to that of non-otosclerotic specimens of the same age. The only two individuals with joint otosclerosis demonstrating greatly increased numbers of vascular canal plugs, were of advanced age and had severe generalized arteriosclerosis. These findings support the concept of different factors predisposing to otosclerosis in the stapediovestibular joint and in the otic capsule. In the otic capsule, bone breakdown is related to vascular insufficiency resulting from changes of the vascular canals and micropetrosis. In the joint, bone erosion may result from severe degenerative arthritis. © 1969, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.