Uncommon and unusual complications of otitis media with effusion

Abstract

Some complications of otitis media with effusion (OME) are not obvious and not always associated with otitis media by physicians and patients; the authors propose to call them ‘unusual complications’, although they may be quite frequent. Complications such as dizziness, clumsiness and behavioural disorders are classified in this group. Other complications are rare and uncommon such as sensorineural hearing loss and cholesteatoma. Some of these sequelae are structural, others more functional. The impact of OME on complex functions such as language, learning or behaviour is still controversial but seems to have been underestimated until now. Not only withholding treatment in children with OME may cause complications but also the treatment of OME may lead to sequelae, although serious side effects caused by the treatment of OME are rare. In this literature review, the epidemiology, importance and diagnosis of the uncommon and unusual complications of OME will be discussed.