Glucocorticosteroids in allergic inflammation: clinical benefits in otitis media with effusion

Allergy and otitis media with effusion are often considered as comorbidities. Evidence points to a role for allergy in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion in reports of increased prevalence of allergy in patients with otitis media with effusion and presence of late-phase allergic-response inflammatory mediators and cytokines in the middle-ear effusion of allergic subjects. However, the exact mechanism remains unknown. Many speculations have been made, but well-controlled studies to prove the efficacy of anti-allergic medication in the treatment of otitis media with effusion are lacking. Therefore, we do not recommend the use of glucocorticosteroids in allergic patients with otitis media with effusion.