アレルギー性慢性中耳炎例

Abstract

A 44-year-old man with a history of nasal allergy and drug eruption was complaining of persistent bilateral hearing loss, otorrhea and dizziness. He had previously undergone middle ear surgery twice on his right ear and 5 times on his left ear over the past 2 years. The characteristic findings were abundant eosinophils in the thick, glue-like otorrhea, high serum IgE levels to house dust, and bilateral paranasal sinusitis of an allergic origin. He had previously undergone surgery twice for bilateral sinusitis and three times for recurrent chronic otitis media. Histologic examinations of the middle ear granulation tissues revealed an enormous infiltration of eosinophils, suggesting that there was allergic inflammation. Desensitization to house dust allergens together with the general and topical administration of steroids were effective in controlling the disease. However, the patient still suffered from intermittent otorrhea from both ears. The allergic otitis media was believed to be caused by a type 1 allergy to house dust in this case.