The Laryngoscope
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From a total of 1408 human temporal bones, 229 with otitis media or mastoiditis were selected; other contributing diseases were excluded. Of this group, 19.2% had an obstruction of the aditus ad antrum with pathologic tissue, usually granulation tissue. ⋯ An interesting observation was that columnar epithelial cells, goblet cells, and mucoid effusion were not observed in the mastoid, suggesting a restriction of secretory cells to the middle ear proper. It appears that obstruction of the aditus ad antrum contributes to the pathogenesis and accentuates pathologic conditions in otitis media.