[Auditory brainstem response in children before and after myringotomy with grommet insertion]

To explore the characteristics of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) before and after myringotomy with grommet insertion.

ABR were recorded in 37 cases (74 ears) before receiving myringotomy with grommet insertion for OME (treating group). For comparison, 30 age-matched healthy children were also tested with ABR (control group). To evaluate the immediate effect of tube placement, 74 ears were tested immediately the day after tube insertion. The characteristics of ABR before and after operation were compared with the control group. Thirty-seven cases were further divided into two groups: the group with poor wave differentiation and the group with better wave differentiation. The threshold of wave V, course of disease were compared between the two groups.

(1) Wave differentiation and eliciting rate were influenced by OME and were improved after operation. The group with poor wave differentiation had elevated threshold of wave V and had longer duration of the disease. (2) The prolonged peak latencies (waves I, III and V) were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the day after tube placement. However, no statistically significant change was found in the transmission time between waves. (3) When comparing to the control group, the abnormal peak latencies and transmission time between waves before and after myringotomy with grommet insertion were observed.

The abnormal ABR can be observed in children with OME and improved after myringotomy with grommet insertion, but it can't reach the normal level.