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Pharyngeal reflux in children with chronic otitis media with effusion

Bahar Keleş1, Kayhan Oztürk, Engin Günel

  • 1Departments of Otolaryngology, Meram Medical Faculty, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey. baharkeles@hotmail.com

Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|March 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Pharyngeal reflux, a condition where stomach acid travels to the throat, is significantly associated with chronic otitis media with effusion in children. This reflux, even when silent, may contribute to the development of this middle ear condition.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Chronic otitis media with effusion (COM) is a common pediatric condition.
  • The etiology of COM with effusion is multifactorial, with reflux being a potential contributing factor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between pharyngeal reflux and chronic otitis media with effusion in children.
  • To utilize 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring to assess reflux in the esophagus and pharynx.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 25 children diagnosed with COM with effusion and 12 healthy controls.
  • All participants underwent 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring using a dual probe to measure both distal and proximal esophageal pH.

Main Results:

  • Children with COM with effusion showed significantly higher frequencies of pharyngeal reflux (48%) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) (64%) compared to controls (8.3% and 25%, respectively).
  • A notable percentage of children with COM with effusion experienced silent GER (56% of those without symptoms).

Conclusions:

  • Pharyngeal reflux is implicated as a significant factor in the development of chronic otitis media with effusion in children.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering both symptomatic and silent GER, as well as pharyngeal reflux, in the management of COM with effusion.
Abstract

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