Otitis media with effusion in children shows a progressive resolution with time

The course of chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) was studied in 117 children (207 ears). Diagnosis was based on otoscopy and a flat (type B) tympanogram. This was compared with the presence or absence of middle ear effusion at myringotomy carried out 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and more than 9 months after diagnosis. There was a highly significant reduction in the number of effusions diagnosed at myringotomy in those patients who had waited longer for operation. The effects of previous ventilation tube insertion, adenoidectomy, medical treatment between diagnosis and operation, month of diagnosis and month of admission on the results were examined. Tympanosclerosis and atelectasis occurred in 7.3 and 6.3% of ears respectively and in most cases were associated with previous grommet insertion.