Microhardness Testing as a Means of Analysing the Mineralization of the Otosclerotic Stapes

The microhardness of 18 otosclerotic and 9 normal stapedes was tested in order to analyse the degree of mineralization. The analysis was carried out with the Leitz-Durimet on specimens fixed in alcohol and embedded in methacrylates. It was found that the otosclerotic bone is less mineralized than the normal bone. The mineral content of the active foci is 10-15% less than that of the normal bone and the quiescent foci are only 1.2-4% less mineralized. The values of microhardness were compared with the data obtained by microradiography.