LABYRINTHITIS DUE TO PNEUMOCOCCUS TYPE III: HISTOPATHOLOGIC STUDIES

Abstract

The frequent complications arising from acute otitis caused by Pneumococcus type III and the difficulties of their diagnosis and treatment are well known to the otologist. The aim of this paper is to throw additional light on the peculiarities of these complications, particularly those of labyrinthitis. Histologic examination of cases with fatal ending shows a certain uniformity of the pathologic process, and this indicates some degree of regularity in the pathogenesis. Recognition of this regularity may help to prevent the development of the complications which frequently lead to severe functional damage of the ear or even to the death of the patient. Middle ear infections caused by Pneumococcus type III are rather frequent. In 15 to 20 per cent of the cases of acute otitis media which come to operation, the disease is caused by this germ. We report 5 cases of mastoiditis due to Pneumococcus type III. In 3