Factors present in cholesteatoma connective tissue induce bone resorption in chronic otitis media. The presence of skin and its products appears to exacerbate the destructive influence of connective tissue. One exacerbating factor is pressure, shown in an animal model to increase bone resorption by influencing the subepithelial connective tissue. Consideration of pathogenic factors provides a rationale for modifications in the treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma.
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