Pathogenesis and Microbiology of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children

Essam A Abo Elmagd,Bahaa Elhawary,Mahmoud E Khalefa,Tahia Hashem Saleem

doi:10.4236/ijohns.2019.84013

Abstract

Objective: To detect different etiological factors of otitis media with effusion (OME) and different types of microorganisms in middle ear fluids. Methods: This prospective study included 60 patients with otitis media with effusion diagnosed at the otorhinolaryngology (ENT) outpatient clinic with age ranged from 2 to 16 years, 36 males and 24 females. Results: Predisposing factors of OME were rhinosinusitis in 58.3% of cases, adenoid in 20% of cases, adenotonsillitis in 16.7% of cases and tonsillitis in 5% of cases. Microorganisms in middle ear fluids were negative in 70% of cases, isolation of streptococcus pneumonia in 16.7% of cases, Haemophilus influenzae 6.7% and Moraxella catarrhalis 6.7%. Conclusion: Rhinosinusitis was the most frequent predisposing factor of cases of OME. Positive bacterial culture was found in 30% of cases.

Highlights

otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterized by a non-purulent effusion of the middle ear that may be either mucoid or serous without acute symptoms
Positive bacterial culture was found in 30% of cases
Bilateral OME with rhinosinusitis diagnosed in 58.3%, with adenoid enlargement in 20%, with adenotonsillitis in 16.7% and with tonsillitis in 5% (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

OME is characterized by a non-purulent effusion of the middle ear that may be either mucoid or serous without acute symptoms. It is one of the common causes of deafness among children. The disturbance of the excretory function is due to mechanical obstruction of the Eustachian tube (ET) and/or mucociliary dysfunction of the tubotympanum. Mechanical obstruction has been emphasized for a long time, but recent laboratory investigations have established the critical importance of mucociliary function in the tubotympanum. It is unclear whether the cilia functions normally throughout the full length of the ET in the chronic phase of OME [3]. Positive bacterial cultures have been demonstrated in 40% of middle ear fluid; Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza account for the majority of cases [4] [5] [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion