Multiple otopathologic disorders

Temporal bones (1,383) from 713 patients were studied systematically for multiple pathologic lesions. Eleven percent (152 temporal bones) were found to have more than one pathologic finding. Males (60.5%) had multiple diseases more commonly than did females (37.7%). The most frequently occurring findings were otitis media (71.1%), otosclerosis (43.4%), endolymphatic hydrops (38.8%), labyrinthitis (25.0%), and cancer (24.3%). We conclude that multiple coexisting pathologic conditions can have coincidental or causative relationships. The otolaryngologist should consider multiple pathologic conditions when diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear.