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[An assessment of middle ear involvement in children with allergic rhinitis: a comparison with chronic hypertrophic
C Ruggeri1, G Barberio, G B Pajno
1Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Policlinico Universitario, Messina, Italia.
Insights
Allergic rhinitis and hypertrophic adenoids are linked to middle ear issues in children. Treating allergic nasal obstruction is crucial to prevent hearing loss and otitis media with effusion.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Allergic inflammation is a potential factor in the development of otitis media with effusion (OME).
- Understanding the link between allergic rhinitis, hypertrophic adenoids, and middle ear conditions is vital for pediatric health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and severity of middle ear pathologies in children with allergic rhinitis versus those with hypertrophic adenoids.
- To determine the impact of allergic nasal obstruction on middle ear function.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of two groups of children: Group A (12 with allergic rhinitis) and Group B (15 with hypertrophic adenoids).
- Evaluations included otoscopy, tympanometry, and audiometry to assess middle ear status and hearing.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare findings between groups.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed high rates of abnormal otoscopy, tympanometry, and audiometry.
- A significant difference was observed in the degree of eardrum retraction and atelectasis, with Group B exhibiting more severe cases (33% vs. 16%).
- Tympanometry revealed a higher incidence of Type C and B tympanograms in Group B (77% vs. 33%), correlating with hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Allergic rhinitis, a condition causing OME, necessitates treatment to mitigate negative effects of nasal obstruction on middle ear function.
- Hypertrophic adenoids appear to be associated with more severe middle ear compromise compared to allergic rhinitis.
- Early intervention for allergic nasal obstruction is recommended to preserve middle ear health and prevent hearing impairment in children.
Abstract:
The allergic inflammation may contribute to the development of otitis media with effusion (OME). For this reason we have examined two groups of children: the first (group A) formed by 12 children with allergic rhinitis, the second (group B) by 15 children with hypertrophic adenoids. We have found respectively: pathologic otoscopy in 75% and 93% of cases; pathologic tympanometry in 83% and in 90%; pathologic audiometry in 60% and in 83%. This values are not significant according to a statistic analysis. Instead, the degree of compromission has been significant: in fact 16% of the children belonging to group A had a retracted and atelectatic eardrum in comparison with 33% of the children belonging to group B. Also tympanometry has confirmed this aspect: in fact 33% of group A showed type C and B tympanograms in comparison with 77% of group B. Besides, audiometry has confirmed the presence of hearing loss in the subjects with tympanometry of type C and B, belonging to both groups. For this reason the allergic rhinitis, because it may cause OME, must be treated in order to limit the negative effects of allergic nasal obstruction on the functionality of the middle ear.