The Contralateral Ear in Unilateral Chronic Otitis Media - Does it Need Reckoning ?

Abstract

Introduction
 This comparative study aims to analyze findings and their significance in the contralateral ears of patients with unilateral Chronic Otitis Media (COM) and compare it with a control group of healthy subjects.
 Materials and Methods
 One hundred patients of unilateral COM and 100 healthy individuals were included in this study from Jan 2015 to July 2016. The findings were noted in the contralateral ears of patients with unilateral COM and 100 control subjects. The changes found in the contralateral ears were assessed statistically for significance.
 Results
 In 100 cases of unilateral COM, 58 patients had some abnormality in the contralateral ear. Myringosclerosis patches being the most common finding were seen in 29 patients followed by TM retractions seen in 28 patients. Prevalence of abnormal findings was found to be significantly higher in the squamous group as compared to the mucosal group. In 100 ears in the control group, only 11 % had positive findings. TM retractions were seen in 5 subjects (3 Attic and 2 Pars tensa retractions). 
 Conclusion
 It can be statistically concluded that the disease of COM in one ear affects the contralateral ear slowly and silently. Hence both ears are affected as pairs and a slow pathological process continues behind an intact TM and kept hidden from the view unless it is actively sought for. Contralateral ears should also be actively followed up, in cases of unilateral COM in order to pick up disease harboring silently.