Laser therapy for refractory myringitis in children.

Abstract

We present the application and initial results of a CO(2) laser technique for the treatment of medically refractory chronic granular myringitis (CGM). Retrospective case series of 15 treated ears in 13 consecutive patients between the ages of 6 and 14 years (median age, 9.0 years) cared for in a tertiary care specialty hospital. Eleven of 15 treated ears had total resolution of CGM and associated symptoms; median follow-up time was 10 months. Three ears were improved, and 1 ear remained unchanged. Three of 5 preoperative tympanic membrane perforations healed after laser treatment; 1 patient developed a postoperative, dry perforation. Hearing was not impaired in any patient tested. Preliminary results suggest that CGM, when refractory to medical treatment, can often be treated effectively by a single laser treatment.