WITTMAACKS TEMPORAL BONE COLLECTION - A N EW APPROACH

Karl Wittmaack, head of the otology department at Greifswald (1904-190 8) at the universities of Jena (1908-1925) und Hamburg (1926-1946) cre ated a unique histological collection of human and animal temporal bon es that is thought to be the largest of its kind in the world. The ser ial sections of more than 1700 human temporal bones still represent cu rrent otological problems - many of which are now rare but are still e ncountered - such as tuberculosis, lues or diphtheria of the ear. Comp lications following acute otitis - which were much more frequent and d angerous in the pre-antibiotic era - can be studied in detail. There a re numerous cases of labyrinthitis, meningitis, sinus thrombosis, brai n abscess etc. - complications which must always be borne in mind to t his day. The same is true for tumors like acoustic neurinomas or even malignant tumors, metastases, or manifestations of leukemia. Differenc es in pneumatization or changes of the bone structure as in otoscleros is have been the subjects of studies dating from Wittmaack's time unti l very recently. In spite of its topicality, the true value of the col lection has only be appreciated by a limited group of persons, which m ay be due in part to difficulties in orientation within this vast amou nt of material. Although there are catalogues, it may be difficult to find the appropriate preparations for particular questions. Searching for such specimens often requires rummaging through the whole collecti on, sometimes resulting in damage or loss of slides or handwritten not es. To enable preselection of material we have established a computer system, by means of which specimens can be scanned on screen as to the ir suitability. The original materials can then be taken out of the co llection without touching the rest.