Ossification of the eustachian tube (ET) cartilage in 2 cases of chronic renal failure is reported for the first time. In both cases, the ossification was observed in the medial lamina of the ET cartilage. In addition, ossification of Ostmann's fatty tissue was observed in case 1, and ossification of the lateral lamina of the ET cartilage was seen in case 2. Correlation between ossification in chronic renal failure and dysfunction of the ET caused by ossified ET cartilage and Ostmann's fatty tissue is discussed.
Elizabeth McCullough Knowles Otopathology Laboratory, Division of Otopathology, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.