Serous otitis media and allergy. Relation to allergy and other causes.

Abstract

SEROUS OTITIS MEDIA has become a significant problem because of the increase in the number of patients affected, the frequent association of this condition with conductive deafness, and the high rate of morbidity among young school-age children. Serous otitis media is a condition with conductive hearing loss in which a fluid-like secretion accumulates in the middle ear. The consistency of the fluid varies from a thin watery material to a thick mucoid substance.1-4It is a condition in which the fluid may remain in the ear for as little as one day or for as long as many years.5 This clinical entity has several synonyms, including nonsuppurative otitis media, middle ear effusion, secretory otitis media, catarrhal otitis media, hydrotympanum,4tubal catarrh, hydrops ex vacuo, otitis media exudation,6and glue ear.7,8 Causal Factors The cause of serous otitis media is uncertain. Several factors have been implicated.