Quantitation of tubotympanal mucociliary clearance in otitis media with effusion

In an attempt to analyze the tubotympanal mucociliary function in otitis media with effusion (OME), human serum albumin labeled with technetium 99m was instilled into 36 ears with effusion and 16 without. The clearance function of the tubotympanum was measured quantitatively. The viscoelasticity of the effusions was measured and was compared with the clearance rate. The clearance rate was significantly lower in ears with effusion than in those without. A significant negative correlation was observed between clearance rate and dynamic viscosity at dynamic viscosities above 2 poise. It is concluded that ears with effusion have significantly lower mucociliary clearance than those without, and that the viscosity of the effusions plays an important role in the mucociliary dysfunction in OME.