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Pathomorphological investigations of the cholesterol crystals were carried out in the middle ear effusions and cholesterol granulomas of experimented animals and humans. The shape and size of the cholesterol crystals were variable, depending upon the surrounding substances. In the middle ear effusions, the crystals formed rather large rectangular structures, which tended to become smaller and thinner, as the granulomas developed. In the compact granulomas, the crystals appeared smaller, thinner and deformed, suggesting that they may possible be dissolved by a phagocytosis of active giant cells.

Histopathological studies were done in 22 deaf dogs consisting of 10 Dalmatians, 5 English setters, 2 Great Danes, 2 foxhounds, 1 shepherd, 1 bulldog and 1 Australian sheep dog. Hypoplasia or aplasia of the sensory cells of the organ of Corti, stria vascularis and macula sacculi (pars inferior) was noted in all deaf dogs examined, indicating the pathology of inner ear malformation in these dogs to be of Scheibe's type. A solidified and calcified tectorial membrane was noted in 19 out of the 22 deaf dogs. A calcified sclerosis of the tectorial membrane is thought to be a characteristic finding of genetically inherited anomaly of the inner ear in deaf dogs. Distortion of the tectorial membrane, absence of the sensory cells in the organ of Corti, agenesis of the stria vascularis and abnormalities of the saccule described Scheibe's dysgenesis of the pars inferior as the pathological correlate for deafness in these dogs as assessed functionally.

A patient with the classic form of Wegener's granulomatosis with severe dabetes mellitus and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is described. This 61-year-old male presented with epistaxis and nasal pain and obstruction. The nasal cavities were filled with crusts covering eroded mucosa. The diagnosis was made by biopsy of nasal and bronchial mucosa, and laboratory data. The epistaxis was stopped by 10 Gy irradiation over the nasal cavities. The patient had severe diabetes mellitus. His blood sugar was not controlled by diet and insulin injection. His general condition worsened rapidly as the growth of granuloma in the nose and lung. Accordingly, prednisolone therapy reinitiated to suppress the granuloma although it has a reverse effect on diabetes mellitus. Approximately one month after admission, he died of acute renal failure. Autopsy was carried out. Granulomatous lesions were noted in the nasal cavities, lungs and spleen. Many petechiae were found macroscopically over the cortex of the kidney. Hyalinization or sclerosis with crescent formation was found microscopically in estimated 85% of the glomeruli. Immunohistologic analysis of the renal tissue demonstrated an irregular linear pattern deposition of IgG, IgA and C3 and a granular pattern deposition of IgM and Clq.

The efferent nervous system of the guinea pig inner ear is histochemically investigated. Remarkable activity of alkaline phosphatase and acetylcholinesterase is demonstrated by Burstone's (1958) azo dye method and Koelle's (1949) method as modified by Gomori (1952) respectively. The distribution pattern of both enzymes in the efferent nervous system is entirely similar. The intraganglionic spiral bundles, fascicles of the osseous spiral lamina and efferent plexus of the organ of Corti reacted intensely for both enzymes. Afferent nerve fibers give no histochemical reaction for both alkaline phosphatase and acetylcholinesterase. However, spiral and vestibular ganglion cells are rich in both enzymes, though they belong to the afferent nervous system. The significance of both enzymes in the nervous system of the guinea pig inner ear is briefly discussed.