Fluid and fibrosis in the human middle ear

Temporal bones from 12 cases of adult otitis media with effusion were studied for the process of fibrosis. There were three types of fibrotic courses, including total replacement of fluid and complete obliteration of middle ear spaces. Thus, the author concluded that effusion, tissue proliferation, fibrosis, and adhesions of the tympanic membrane are sequential findings of otitis media with effusion.