[Acute otitis media. Current therapeutic and clinical aspects]

Otitis media acuta is defined as an acute inflammation of the pneumatic spaces of the temporal bone, that means the middle ear including the mucous membranes of the mastoid cells and of the Eustachian tube; it is caused mainly by bacteria, rarely by viruses. When treated properly by antibiotics, otitis media acuta heals in the rule within two to three weeks completely. If more than three episodes of otitis media occur within one year, the disease is called recurrent otitis media. Secretory otitis media (mucoserotympanon) may be proceeded by an otitis media acuta, but it can also develop without any fore-going disease. If the inflammation of the middle ear is quite symptomless, it is called an occult otitis media or an occult mastoiditis; the causes are often insufficient antibiotic therapies. In these cases an operative treatment (paracentesis, mastoidectomy, antrotomy, adenoidectomy, ventilating tubes) may be necessary. If the defense of the mucous membranes respectively of the whole body is weak or the antibiotic treatment insufficient, there may develop some other sequelae like chronic otitis media, atelectasis, otitis media chronica adhesive, tympanosclerosis, with or without development of cholesteatoma. The typical clinical symptoms, possible complications and the recommended antibiotic and physical treatment are referred.