[Recurrent otitis: what is the place of complementary examinations]

Recurrent otitis media is defined by the occurrence of three episodes of acute otitis media in a year. Several risk factors are now well recognized, particularly the occurrence before six months of age of a first episode of otitis media, day care centers, and upper respiratory tract infections (rhinopharyngitis). In most cases biological or radiological investigations are of little interest. They are only indicated in case of persistent recurrent episodes, despite eviction of all risk factors and adenoidectomy, and mainly in case of association with bronchopulmonary pathology.