Middle Ear Effusion In Children Research Articles

Prevalence of Chronic Middle Ear Effusion in Cases of Cleft Palate.

Chronic middle ear effusion is generally present in children with cleft palate (CP) associated with or without cleft lips. The aim of our study was to assessment of how common middle ear effusion is in patients with cleft palates and to evaluate the presence of these symptoms by performing a Basic Audiological Evaluation (BAE). A retrospective randomized study was conducted on 50 children (29 male and 21 female) aged 2 to 16 years who had CPs (associated with or without cleft lips) with symptoms of middle ear effusion. The study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022. Data review included the results of otoscopic findings and BAE. The Fundamentals of BAE comprise the testing of middle ear function with tympanometry and a pure tone audiometry to determine the kind and degree of hearing impairment. Regarding the BAE, we found that 70% of the children with normal hearing, 24% with conductive type of hearing loss, and 6% with mixed type of hearing loss. The tympanometric results revealed that 66% of the children with type A tympanogram, 24% with type C tympanogram, and 10% with type B tympanogram. The contralateral stapedial reflex was present in 60% of the patients while in 40% of cases not present. The results confirmed the great prevalence of chronic middle ear effusion in children with CPs. Furthermore, the hearing impairment associated with middle ear effusion was visible, demonstrating that middle ear effusion was linked with the prevalence of moderate conductive type of hearing loss. The OME in cases of CP necessitates early prediction and in turn early treatment.

Sphenochoanal polyp in a child presented with recurrent middle ear effusion: a case report

BackgroundSphenochoanal is a rare benign sinu-nasal lesion. It arises from the sphenoid sinus and passes to the choana then to the nasopharynx. It usually presents with nasal obstruction, discharge, snoring, and headache. It has been reported—only once in the English literature—to cause Eustachian tube dysfunction and middle ear effusion (MEE) in an adult male. In this report, we described an 8-year-old child with a sphenochoanal polyp presented with MEE.Case presentationAn 8-year-old boy was referred to us by his family physician with recurrent earache. Otoscopic examination showed MEE on the left side. Anterior rhinoscopy showed a thick grayish discharge in the left nasal cavity. Nasal endoscopic examination showed a polyp in the posterior part of the left nasal cavity obstructing the choana. Computed tomography revealed soft tissue density on the left sphenoid sinus extended to the choana and nasopharynx. Diagnosis of sphenochoanal polyp was established. Endoscopic sinus surgery with removal of the lesion and ventilation tube insertion in the left ear was performed. Histopathologic examination confirmed that the polyp was inflammatory. Follow-up for 1 year showed no recurrence.ConclusionsSphenochoanal which is a rare lesion in children could be a cause of Eustachian tube dysfunction and MEE. Nasal endoscopy and computed tomography are important for diagnosis. We recommend to list sphenochoanal polyp as a cause of Eustachian tube dysfunction and recurrent MEE in children.

Eigenvalue analysis of wideband acoustic immittance in secretory otitis media in children of different ages

Objective:The characteristic values of broadband acoustic immittance of children of different ages during secretory otitis media were collected resonance frequency and absorption rate of middle ear in children of different ages were compared. Methods:Eighty-two children with secretory otitis media were selected for the broadband acoustic immittance test, including 62 cases （83 ears） in the young effusion group（[3.5±0.7]months）, and 20 cases （40 ears） in the older effusion group（[4.0±0.6]years old）. 82 normal children were selected for broadband acoustic immittance test in the same environment, including 62 cases （124 ears） in the younger normal group and 20 cases （40 ears） in the older normal group. The resonance frequency and absorptivity of different age groups under broadband peak pressure were compared, and the frequency absorptivity curve was drawn for analysis. Results:The resonance frequencies of older normal group and younger normal group, older effusion group and older normal group, younger effusion group and younger normal group, older effusion group and younger effusion group were statistically significant（P<0.001）. Analysis of sound energy absorption rate at different ages. There was significant difference in sound energy absorption rate between older normal group and younger normal group at 226-1155 / 4757-8000 Hz（P<0.001）. The difference of full frequency sound energy absorption rate between the older effusion group and the older normal group was statistically significant（P<0.001）, among which the difference of 866-1542 / 2520-4362 Hz absorption rate was the largest. The difference of full frequency sound energy absorption rate between young effusion group and young normal group was statistically significant（P<0.001）, and the difference of 1091-2245 / 3776-5494 Hz absorption rate was the largest. Conclusion:Middle ear effusion in children of different ages has different performance under broadband acoustic immittance peak pressure, and has its own characteristic acoustic energy absorption frequency band. This study provides a reference basis for the analysis of the characteristics of middle ear sound transmission in children with secretory otitis media in the future.

Middle-ear effusion in children with cleft palate: congenital or acquired?

Cleft palates are one of the most common congenital malformations. Because of the loss of Eustachian tube function, middle-ear ventilation is reduced. The aim of this study was to determine if middle-ear effusions were present at birth or at the three-month audiological evaluation. A total of 53 children with a cleft palate were included. Data review included the results of newborn hearing screening, microscopic findings, a tympanometry, a free field audiometry and intra-operative findings. A total of 58.4 per cent of patients had a median, 26.4 per cent had a bilateral, 11.3 per cent had a unilateral and 3.8 per cent had a limited soft palate cleft. Newborn hearing screening showed a pass in 83.1 per cent of newborns bilaterally. The first ear microscopy showed a bilateral middle-ear effusion in 90.6 per cent of cases. During cleft surgery, bilateral paracentesis was performed in all cases, and in 90.6 per cent middle-ear effusion was sucked out. The majority of children with a cleft palate do not present with middle-ear effusion at birth. It develops within several days or weeks of life.

Evaluation of Caspase-1, Interleukin-1β, and Interleukin-18, in the Middle Ear Effusion in Children With Otitis Media With Effusion.

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the expression of caspase-1 and caspase-1-dependent processing of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, in the middle ear effusion of children with otitis media with effusion (OME) in order to identify the potential role of inflammasomes in OME.Methods: This study included 29 children scheduled for myringotomy with the insertion of tympanostomy tubes due to OME. Middle ear effusion (MEE) was collected during the surgery. Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The levels were compared between those with mucoid and serous MEE and those with and without a history of ventilation tube insertion.Results: Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 were detected in all samples. The caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels did not significantly differ between mucoid samples and serous samples. No statistical significances were discovered in caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels between with and without a history of ventilation tube groups. There was a significant negative correlation between IL-1β and IL-18 and the duration of OME (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was found between caspase-1 and disease duration.Conclusions: Inflammasomes may participate in the inflammatory process of OME. IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the MEE decreased over time.

Improving the Differential Diagnosis of Otitis Media With Effusion Using Wideband Acoustic Immittance.

The objective of this work is to determine whether there is a systematic effect of middle ear effusion volume on wideband acoustic immittance in children with surgically confirmed otitis media with effusion. Wideband acoustic immittance was measured in 49 ears from children (9 months to 11 years) who had a diagnosis of otitis media with effusion and compared to 14 ears from children (10 months to 10 years) without a recent history of otitis media. For children with otitis media with effusion, wideband acoustic immittance testing took place in the child's preoperative waiting room before surgical placement of tympanostomy tubes. Testing was completed in a pressurized condition (wideband tympanometry) for all ears as well as in an ambient condition in a subset of ears. Intraoperative findings regarding effusion volume were reported by the surgeons immediately before tube placement and confirmed following myringotomy. This classified the volume of effusion as compared to middle ear volume categorically as either full, partial, or clear of effusion. The type of wideband acoustic immittance explored in this work was absorbance. Absorbance responses were grouped based on effusion volume into one of four groups: full effusions, partial effusions, ears clear of effusion at the time of surgery, and normal control ears. Standard tympanometry was also completed on all ears. Absorbance is systematically reduced as the volume of the middle ear effusion increases. This reduction is present at most frequencies but is greatest in the frequency range from 1 to 5 kHz. A multivariate logistic regression approach was utilized to classify ears based on effusion volume. The regression approach classified ears as effusion present (full and partial ears) or absent (clear ears and normal control ears) with 100% accuracy, ears with effusion present as either partial or full with 100% accuracy, and ears without effusion as either normal control ears or ears clear of effusion with 75% accuracy. Regression performance was also explored when the dataset was split into a training set (70% of the data) and a validation test set (30% of the data) to simulate how this approach would perform on unseen data in a clinical setting. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve are reported. Overall, this approach demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for classifying ears as effusion being present or absent and as present effusions being full or partial with areas under the curve ranging from 1 to 0.944. Despite the lack of effusion present in both clear ears and normal control ears, this approach was able to distinguish between these ears, but with a more moderate sensitivity and specificity. No systematic effect of effusion volume was found on standard tympanometry. Wideband acoustic immittance, and more specifically, absorbance, is a strong and sensitive indicator of the volume of a middle ear effusion in children with otitis media with effusion.

Middle Ear Effusion in Children With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is well described in children with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, but limited data are available on middle ear effusion (MEE) occurrence in this population. We assessed the prevalence of MEE and the degree of transient hearing change associated with MEE among children with congenital CMV infection. Children with congenital CMV infection enrolled in a longitudinal study received hearing and tympanometric testing during scheduled follow-up visits annually up to 6 years of age. We used a generalized linear mixed-effect logistic regression model to compare the odds of MEE, defined as type B tympanogram (normal ear canal volume with little tympanic membrane movement) among patients categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on the presence of congenital CMV-associated signs in the newborn period. Forty-four (61%) of 72 symptomatic and 24 (28%) of 87 asymptomatic patients had ≥1 visit with MEE. After controlling for the number of visits, symptomatic patients had significantly higher odds of MEE (odds ratio: 2.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.39-3.14) than asymptomatic patients. Transient hearing decrease associated with a type B tympanogram ranged from 10 to 40 dB, as measured by audiometric air-bone gap in 11 patients. Among children with congenital CMV, MEE can result in transient hearing decrease, which can reduce the efficacy of a hearing aid in those with SNHL. It is warranted that children with congenital CMV infection and SNHL receive routine audiologic and tympanometric testing to better manage hearing aid amplification levels.

Significance of Adenoidectomy in the Treatment of Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)

Background &amp; Objectives: Adenoid hypertrophy is one of the commonest etiology for otitis media with effusion (OME). OME is a leading cause of diminished hearing in children younger than 12 years. This study compares the efficacy of adenoidectomy on OME in patients with different grades of adenoids and the connection between different position of adenoids and middle ear effusion. Methods: This is a prospective study done on 120 pediatric patients (2 to 12 years) presented with chronic otitis media with effusion and adenoid hypertrophy from 2017 to 2019. Adenoid size was graded and correlated with the type of tympanometry. All the cases were subjected to adenoidectomy with myringotomy and were observed every 3 months. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected and comparison was made to evaluate whether adenoidectomy with myringotomy is sufficient on management of OME. Results: Adenoid tissue grading showed majority of population remained in Grade III (45%) and Grade C (56.67%). There is a highly significant relation between higher adenoid grade and type B tympanometry. This study showed significant association between grade III and grade C adenoid hypertrophy and otitis media with effusion when compared with other grades of adenoid hypertrophy. This suggests that increasing grade of adenoid hypertrophy is important predictor in establishment of otitis media with effusion in patient with adenoid hypertrophy. After adenoidectomy majority of tympanometry curve was shifted from type B to type A. In case of Grade III, type B tympanometry reduced from 45 to 11 (83% to 20%) in right ears; 49 to 7 (90% to 12%) in left ears. Again, in case of Grade C, type B tympanometry reduced from 55 to 6 (80% to 8%) in right ears; 58 to 5 (85% to 7%) in left ears. This change was significant. The greater the size of the adenoid, after adenoidectomy, more improvement noticed in tympanometry curve. Conclusion: This study may not be the actual picture of overall situation due to many limitations. Still it can be concluded that enlarged adenoids has a definite role in causing OME. This research also shows a benefit of adenoidectomy in the removal of middle ear effusion in children with OME. To efficiently assess the efficacy of adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion in children, future research is needed.

Study of Helicobacter pylori in Middle Ear Effusion in Children

Introduction: Otitis media is one of the most common diseases in children. It is believed that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a predisposing factor in most upper respiratory tract problems including pharyngoesophagitis, croup, oropharyngeal adenophagia, rhinosinusitis, and otitis media. The probable role of H.pylori in otitis media with effusion (OME) was investigated in this study. Methods: Fresh stool specimens and serum samples from 40 children with OME were analyzed with antigen in stool and antibody in serum. The effusion samples were taken and analyzed using rapid urease test (RUT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results: RUT was positive in 13 (32.5%) patients and PCR was positive in 15 (37.5%) patients. Ag in stool was positive in 27 (67.5%) and Ab in serum was positive 21 (52.5%). Conclusion: The presence of H.pylori in the middle ear effusion and stool indicates that this bacterium might be involved in the pathogenesis of OME.

The Relation between Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea and Types of Immune Cells in Middle Ear Effusion in Children with Otitis Media with Effusion

The Relation between Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea and Types of Immune Cells in Middle Ear Effusion in Children with Otitis Media with Effusion

Haemophilus influenzae biofilm formation in chronic otitis media with effusion.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a highly prevalent disease in children, but the exact pathogenesis and role of bacteria are still not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the presence of otopathogenic bacteria in the middle ear effusion (MEE) and adenoid of children with chronic OME (COME), and to investigate in vivo whether these bacteria, especially Haemophilus influenzae, are organized as a biofilm in the middle ear fluid. MEE and adenoid samples were collected from 21 patients with COME. Extensive bacterial culturing and genotyping was performed on all middle ear and adenoid samples. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to visualize possible biofilm structures for a selection of middle ear effusion samples. 34 MEE samples were collected from 21 patients of which 64.7% were culture positive for bacteria and 47.0% were culture positive for Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pneumoniae. All 21 adenoid samples were culture positive for one or more of these four otopathogens. H. influenzae (35.3%) and S. pneumoniae (76.2%) were the most frequently cultured bacteria in the MEE and adenoid samples, respectively. The same bacterial species was found in MEE and adenoid for 84.6% of the patients and in 81.2% of the cases where the same species was found in more than one site it involved the same bacterial genotype. FISH and CLSM demonstrated the presence of H. influenzae specific biofilm structures in five of the eight culture positive MEEs that were tested, but in none of the two culture negative MEEs. The findings in this study indicate that the adenoid acts as a reservoir for bacteria in MEE and confirms that biofilms, in at least half of the cases consisting of H. influenzae, are indeed present in the MEE of children with COME. Biofilms may thus play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of COME, which is important in the understanding of this disease and the development of potential future treatment options.

Clinical and audiological findings in children with acute otitis media

Conclusion: It is recommended to perform follow-up tympanometry and if necessary tonal audiometry in children who have normal plain otoscopy findings after recovering from acute otitis media (AOM). Children with Type B tympanogram, 3 months following the onset of AOM, are very likely to have a conductive hearing loss. Type B tympanogram is a much better indicator of effusion in the middle ear compared to plain otoscopy. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the frequency and duration of middle ear effusion in children following an episode of acute otitis media, to track changes in tonal audiometry and tympanometry findings in the post-AOM period, and recognize the optimal timing for performing both tests. Methods: In this study, 125 children aged 5–7 years with bilateral AOM were randomly selected and separately followed up for 3 months. The children underwent six ear, nose, and throat (ENT 1–6) examinations, six tympanometries (TM 1–6), and three tonal audiometries (TA 1–3). Evaluation of nasopharynx was done at the ENT 1 examination. Children who received ventilation tubes were followed for 21 month altogether. Results: At the first otoscopy, pathological findings were recorded in 250 ears/125 children (100.0%). The number of pathological otoscopy findings decreased at each subsequent examination. At ENT 6 all children had normal otoscopy findings. Type B tympanogram was detected in 49/250 (19.6%) ears at TM 6, performed 3 months following the onset of the disease. At the TA 1 conductive hearing impairment was recorded in 158/250 (63.2%) ears, at TA 2 in 66/250 (26.4%), and at TA 3 in 39/250 (15.6%). Most of them were associated with Type B tympanogram.

Identification of Alloiococcus otitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae in Children With Otitis Media With Effusion.

Background:Based on many studies, otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the major causes of childhood hearing loss, social malformation and medical costs. The pathogenesis still remains unclear, though it is known that this complication is closely related to bacterial infections. Alloiococcus otitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis are the most common bacterial pathogens isolated from middle ear effusions (MEEs).Objectives:Due to the prevalence of OME in children, we decided to investigate bacterial agents that cause diseases such as A. otitidis, H. influenzae, S. pneumonia and M. catarrhalis in these subjects.Patients and Methods:Forty-five children between one and 15 years of age were selected for this study. Seventy specimens were collected from MEE by myringotomy and inoculated in PBS buffer. Conventional culture and PCR methods were used for identification of bacterial agents.Results:The bacterial cultures in 8.6% of samples were positive by conventional culture, with A. otitidis, M. catarrhalis and S. pneumoniae present in 1.4%, 2.9% and 4.3% of samples, respectively. No H. influenzae was isolated. By the PCR method, A. otitidis was the most frequently isolated bacterium, found in 25.7% of samples, followed by S. pneumoniae, M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae, which were identified in 20%, 12% and 20% of samples, respectively. Overall, 55 out of 70 samples were positive by both the PCR and culture method.Conclusions:It can be concluded that A. otitidis was the major causative agent of MEE in children with OME. Therefore clinicians should be aware that bacterial infection plays an important role in the progression of acute otitis media to OME in children of our region.

Antibiotic treatment in otitis media reduces middle ear effusion duration

Tapiainen T, Kujala T, Renko M, Koivunen P, Kontiokari T, Kristo A, et al. Effect of Antimicrobial Treatment of Acute Otitis Media on the Daily Disappearance of Middle Ear Effusion: A Placebo-Controlled Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2014;165:635-41. Among children with otitis media (OM), what is the therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics, compared with placebo, in resolution of middle ear effusion (MEE)? Randomized controlled trial. Outpatient clinics, Oulu, Finland. Children, 6 months to 15 years old. Time to disappearance of MEE. On day 14, 69% of children in the antimicrobial group and 38% in the placebo group had normal tympanometry findings (number needed to treat [NNT] 4; 95% CI, 2-11). On day 60, 2 children (5%) in the antimicrobial group and 10 children (24%) in the placebo group had persistent MEE (NNT 6; 95% CI, 3-22). Antimicrobial treatment effectively reduced the duration of MEE in children with AOM, and the risk for persistent MEE.

Comparison of Spectral Gradient Acoustic Reflectometry and Tympanometry for Detection of Middle-ear Effusion in Children

Spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SGAR) and tympanometry are handy methods to aid in the diagnostics of middle-ear diseases, but no prior studies have directly assessed the correlation between SGAR and tympanometry readings in children. We compared SGAR and tympanometry in 2152 otoscopic examinations among 600 children aged 0.6-14 years, who were examined for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection in a primary care setting; 677 (31.5%) of the ear examinations were in children <3 years of age. We further determined the test characteristics of these methods for the detection of middle-ear effusion (MEE) using pneumatic otoscopy as the gold standard. All examinations were performed by trained physicians. SGAR and tympanometry indicated probable absence of MEE in 1896 (88.1%) and 1937 (90.0%) of the 2152 ears, respectively. SGAR levels 1-2 were observed in 95.7% of ears with type A/As tympanogram and in 58.1% of ears with type B tympanogram. The frequency of type B tympanogram increased with increasing SGAR levels, from 4.8% at SGAR level 1 to 67.7% at SGAR level 5. The observed agreement between the 2 methods was 86%. The test characteristics of SGAR and tympanometry for the detection of MEE diagnosed by pneumatic otoscopy were comparable. The high specificities and negative predictive values of SGAR and tympanometry make them useful aids particularly in ruling out MEE in children with respiratory infections. The low cost, easy portability and absence of need for an airtight seal support the use of SGAR also for screening purposes at home.

Nasal Allergy and Otitis Media : A Real Correlation ? = إلتهاب الأذن الوسطى و الأرجية الأنفية : علاقة حقيقية ؟

The correlation between middle ear pathology and nasal allergy has been debated for almost 30 years. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between otitis media with effusion (OME) and persistent allergic rhinitis symptoms versus intermittent rhinitis in children. The study included 100 atopic children (52 boys, 48 girls) aged 5-9 years with otological symptoms who were patients of the University of Siena Hospital, Italy. Ear, nose and throat evaluations, tympanometry, skin prick tests (SPTs), mucociliary transport time (MCTt) and Eustachian tube function tests were performed. The SPTs revealed 50 children sensitised to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 34 to grass pollen and 16 to Parietaria. Of all patients, mild symptoms were intermittent in 19 children and persistent in 18; moderate/severe symptoms were intermittent in 22 and persistent in 41. Tubal dysfunction was present in 25 children, whereas middle ear effusion was present in 45 children undergoing myringotomy. The MCTt was slower in the persistent group (21 ± 2 mins) versus the intermittent group (16 ± 2 mins) with a significant difference (P <0.01). Mean eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) values in the middle ear effusions of children who had undergone myringotomy were 251 ± 175.2 μg/L, and mean ECP blood values were 25.5 ± 16.3 μg/L, with significant differences (P < 0.001). There was a significant association between OME, delayed MCTt, ECP values in middle ear effusion and persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis. These results suggest a direct involvement of the middle ear mucosa as a target organ in persistent forms.

Consumer acoustic reflectometry: Accuracy in diagnosis of otitis media with effusion in children

ObjectiveAcoustic reflectometry is a technique based on a sonar that enables the diagnosis of middle ear effusion. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy and diagnostic value of consumer type acoustic reflectometry device for determining middle ear effusion in children. MethodsAcoustic reflectometry and tympanometries of 84 children, from 3 to 14 years of age, were done the day before they underwent adenoidectomy/adenotonsillectomy and myringotomy±ventilation tube insertion under general anesthesia in the operating room with diagnosis of middle ear effusion. Their test results and the results of myringotomies, which is the golden standard technique in determination of otitis media with effusion, were compared. Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of both instruments in detecting middle ear fluid were determined. ResultsOtitis media with effusion was detected in 106 ears (63.1%) during myringotomy. The sensitivity and specificities of acoustic reflectometry were found to be 83.33% and 68.18%, and tympanometry were 84.48% and 84.62%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 75.12% for acoustic reflectometry and 88.56% for tympanometry, and negative predictive values of acoustic reflectometry and tympanometry were 87.66% and 89.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of the AR was comparable to tympanometry (p>0.01), however the specificity, PPV and NPV of AR were lower than tympanometry (p<0.001). ConclusionsConsumer type acoustic reflectometry is highly sensitive, objective and easy to perform technique for detecting otitis media with effusion, and it may help us to diagnose otitis media with effusion in early stages if used by family practitioners or parents.

Eustachian tube function as a predictor of the recurrence of middle ear effusion in children

In children with ventilation tubes (VTs) inserted for chronic otitis media with effusion (COME), the authors sought to determine whether any parameter of Eustachian tube (ET) function measured by the forced response test (FRT) predicts disease recurrence after the VT becomes nonfunctional. Prospective study of those factors that predict disease recurrence in children with VTs inserted for COME. Forty-nine subjects (73 ears; 28 male, 34 white, aged 5.3 ± 1.2 years) with COME had VTs inserted and were evaluable for disease status after the VT(s) became nonfunctional. The FRT was done when the VTs were patent, and results for the last test before the VT became nonfunctional were used in the analysis. After each VT became nonfunctional, the children were followed for disease recurrence over a 12-month period. Logistic regression was used to determine whether the ET opening pressure, closing pressure, and/or dilatory efficiency predicted disease recurrence. That model was expanded to include age, sex, race, history of adenoidectomy, previous VTs, and duration of VT patency as potential predictive factors. Twenty-nine (40%) ears had recurrence of significant disease within 12 months after the VT became nonfunctional. For the complete logistic regression model, male gender (P = .03), nonwhite race (P = .02), shorter period of VT patency (P = .01), and low dilatory efficiency (P = .01) were significant predictors of disease recurrence. A measure of active ET function, dilatory efficiency, but not measures of passive function predicted disease recurrence within the 12 months after the VT became nonfunctional in children with COME.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Children With Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion

We aimed to evaluate a possible relation between gastroesophageal reflux disease and middle ear effusion in children. Children who came to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department with the symptoms of hearing loss or aural fullness and diagnosed as OME by examination and tympanometry were included into the study. Children were reviewed gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms including the following: (a) airway symptoms: stridor, frequent cough, recurrent croup, wheezing, nasal congestion, obstructive apnea, hoarseness, and throat clearing; (b) feeding symptoms: frequent emesis, dysphagia, choking: gagging, sore throat, halitosis, food refusal, regurgitation, pyrosis, irritability, failure to thrive, and anemia. Diagnosis is made with at least one positive test of radionuclide gastroesophageal scintigraphy or 24 h pH probe in the patients with reflux. ENT findings were also examined between gastroesophageal reflux disease positive and gastroesophageal reflux disease negative groups. Approximately 39 (54.9%) of 71 children had at least 1 positive test for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Between the gastroesophageal reflux disease-positive and gastroesophageal reflux disease-negative groups, symptoms of reflux were not significantly different. Two pooled variables were created: airway complex (stridor, frequent cough, throat clearing), and feeding complex (irritability, pyrosis, failure to thrive). Percentage of positive symptom complexes were no statistically different between gastroesophageal reflux disease-positive and gastroesophageal reflux disease-negative groups (>0.05). Ear, nose, and throat disorders (including rhinitis/sinusitis, adenoid hypertrophy, tonsillitis/pharyngitis, and laryngitis) were more frequent in gastroesophageal reflux disease-positive group. Tonsillitis/pharyngitis was significantly different between the gastroesophageal reflux disease positive and gastroesophageal reflux disease-negative groups. Upper respiratory tract infections were seen more frequently in gastroesophageal reflux disease positive group. Children who present with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms are more likely to have a positive gastroesophageal reflux disease test. However, no concordance may be found between the complaints and gastroesophageal reflux disease findings. For this reason, a decision about gastroesophageal reflux disease should not only be made by looking to complaints; diagnostic tests must also be performed.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Bacterial Biofilms in Middle Ear Effusion of Children with Recurrent Acute Otitis Media – A Potential Treatment Target

BackgroundBacteria persist within biofilms on the middle ear mucosa of children with recurrent and chronic otitis media however the mechanisms by which these develop remain to be elucidated. Biopsies can be difficult to obtain from children and their small size limits analysis.MethodsIn this study we aimed to investigate biofilm presence in middle ear effusion (MEE) from children with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) and to determine if these may represent infectious reservoirs similarly to those on the mucosa. We examined this through culture, viability staining and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) to determine bacterial species present. Most MEEs had live bacteria present using viability staining (32/36) and all effusions had bacteria present using the universal FISH probe (26/26). Of these, 70% contained 2 or more otopathogenic species. Extensive DNA stranding was also present. This DNA was largely host derived, representing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) within which live bacteria in biofilm formations were present. When treated with the recombinant human deoxyribonuclease 1, Dornase alfa, these strands were observed to fragment.ConclusionsBacterial biofilms, composed of multiple live otopathogenic species can be demonstrated in the MEEs of children with rAOM and that these contain extensive DNA stranding from NETs. The NETs contribute to the viscosity of the effusion, potentially contributing to its failure to clear as well as biofilm development. Our data indicates that Dornase alfa can fragment these strands and may play a role in future chronic OM treatment.