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Analysis of tympanosclerotic plaques via atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope

Hale Aslan
Department of ENT, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
Mehmet Sinan Başoğlu
Department of ENT, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
Ali Ekber İlknur
Department of ENT, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
Erdem Eren
Department of ENT, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
Duygu Oğuz Kılıç
Department of ENT, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
Erkan Kulduk
Department of ENT, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
Hüseyin Katılmış
Department of ENT, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
Received: 11 September 2024
Published: 03 February 2012

Abstract

Objective: To present new information to the literature by imaging the calcospherule forming tympanosclerotic plaque's structure with atomic force microscope and to analyze the elementary structure of it with energy dispersive X-ray detector adapted to the scanning electron microscope.

Methods: Samples taken from 30 patients who underwent surgery for tympanosclerosis were retrospectively evaluated in our tertiary referral center. The surface topography and three-dimensional images of the hardest plaque was analyzed using atomic force microscopy and examined elemental composition of 5 different calcospherule in 5 different plaques using scanning electron microscopy – energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Results: In all sides of study, the rate of fronto-ethmoidal cell was 20.9%. When cases with sinonasal signs (group II and III) and control group (group I) were compared, intersiThree-dimensional analysis of the tympanosclerotic plaque using atomic force microscopy showed calcium phosphate crystalline structures. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to quantify the calcium, phosphate, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sodium, and magnesium present.

Conclusion: We believe that knowledge of the surface topography and elemental composition of tympanosclerotic plaque will contribute to understanding the etiology of tympanosclerosis and its treatment.

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