Blue Mantles in Otosclerosis

Abstract

Blue mantles refer to cord-like processes of pathological bone staining bluish gray with H & E and identical with bone in sclerotic areas of otosclerosis. Their incidence, location and relationship to otosclerosis in 114 temporal bones showing various types of otosclerosis were reviewed. A larger number of bones without otosclerosis were examined as controls. Blue mantles were almost constant in diffusely distributed types of otosclerosis. Cases with one or more foci of otosclerosis, clinical and nonclinical showed blue mantles in order areas of the capsule in the majority. Blue mantles were found bilaterally in a few cases of unilateral otosclerosis, also in a sibling of a case with proven clinical otosclerosis. They were found also in three cases of a similar number without otosclerosis. Blue mantles appear to be another manifestation of the same genetic disorder as otosclerosis.