Surfactant in Middle Ear Effusions

1 April 1987

journal article
research article
Published by Wiley in Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery

Vol. 96 (4) , 336-340
https://doi.org/10.1177/019459988709600406

Abstract

Evidence from animal studies suggests that substances that lower surface tension are present in the middle ear cleft, where they may facilitate opening of the eustachian tube. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not surface‐tension‐lowering substances are present in middle ear effusions. Aspirates from children and adults with secretory otitis media—both serous otitis media and mucoid otitis media—were analyzed by means of two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography. Phospholipids, the major components of pulmonary surfactant, were present in appreciable quantities in all aspirates. Differences in total phosphate content and phospholipid composition were found when effusions from adults and children were compared.

Keywords

This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit:

Hydrophobic Lining of the Eustachian Tube Imparted by Surfactant
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 1984
Analysis of Eustachian Surfactant and Its Function as a Release Agent
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 1984
Surface tension lowering substance in eustachian tube function
The Laryngoscope, 1977
Rapid determination of inorganic phosphate in biological systems by a highly sensitive photometric method
Analytical Biochemistry, 1975
Surface-Active Agent in Eustachian Tube Function
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 1975
Surface Tension Lowering Substance of the Canine Eustachian Tube
Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 1972
The Use of Urea in Exudative Otitis Media
Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 1970
XXXVII Measurements of Eustachian Tube Function
Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 1967
A SIMPLE METHOD FOR THE ISOLATION AND PURIFICATION OF TOTAL LIPIDES FROM ANIMAL TISSUES
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1957