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Propylene glycol is a solvent commonly used in topical otic preparations. This study examines the occurrence of inflammatory changes and cholesteatoma in chinchilla middle ears after the application of propylene glycol in varying concentrations. A total of 32 ears were studied, divided into four treatment groups. Three groups received propylene glycol in concentrations of 10%, 50%, and 90%. One group received normal saline. Six weeks after the application of propylene glycol to the middle ear through the bulla, examination revealed cholesteatoma, tympanic membrane perforations, and middle ear adhesions in most of the ears subjected to 50% and 90% propylene glycol. Only one ear treated with 10% propylene glycol showed a cholesteatoma, while the group treated with normal saline showed only mild inflammation. Histologic preparations confirmed cholesteatoma and revealed replacement of the normal columnar epithelium by keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium, inflammatory infiltration, and granulation tissue eroding underlying bone. We conclude that exposure to propylene glycol in high concentrations will consistently produce cholesteatoma in chinchilla middle ears. Although the effects of propylene glycol in the human middle ear are yet to be investigated, we recommend the avoidance of otic preparations containing high concentrations of propylene glycol in patients with tympanic membrane perforations.
L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
January 1990,
American journal of otolaryngology,
L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
March 2017,
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L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
January 1989,
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L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
October 2021,
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale,
L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
November 1997,
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L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
September 1993,
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association,
L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
January 1989,
Pharmacology,
L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
November 1978,
International journal of dermatology,
L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
January 2018,
Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug,
L Vassalli, and
D M Harris, and
R Gradini, and
E L Applebaum
July 2008,
Lin chuang er bi yan hou tou jing wai ke za zhi = Journal of clinical otorhinolaryngology, head, and neck surgery,
