Bone turnover in chronic otitis media with bone destruction

Purpose This study aims to determine the relationship between bone destruction and bone turnover markers in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). Methods Subjects with COM were divided into two groups: those with and without bone destruction. Thirty-seven patients were included in the group with bone destruction; 30 patients were included in the group without bone destruction. The enzyme values were evaluated. Results There was no difference between the two groups in terms of enzyme levels of serum and urine. However, the osteocalcin, which is a bone formation marker, and the C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen marker, which is bone destruction marker, were found to be lower in the group with bone destruction than the group without bone destruction. Conclusion Data obtained in the present study suggest that the pressure necrosis theory and acid lysis theory provide the most valid explanations of bone destruction. However, the data provide limited preliminary information to clarify this mechanism.