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Frequency of Serous Otitis Media in Children without Otolaryngological Symptoms
Murat Kocyigit1, Safiye Giran Ortekin1, Taliye Cakabay1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Serous otitis media (SOM) was detected in 15.9% of children without ear, nose, and throat complaints. Regular screening is recommended for pediatric patients to identify potential cases of SOM, even without active symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterized by middle ear fluid without acute infection signs.
- Serous otitis media (SOM) is a common condition in children, often asymptomatic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of SOM in pediatric patients aged 3-16 without active ear, nose, and throat (ENT) complaints.
- To investigate the association between adenoid hypertrophy and SOM in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 589 children referred to a pediatric clinic.
- Flexible nasopharyngoscopy for adenoid hypertrophy assessment and otoscopic examination with tympanometry for SOM diagnosis.
Main Results:
- SOM was diagnosed in 94 (15.9%) of the 589 pediatric patients.
- Adenoid vegetation was present in 9.8% of patients; however, no statistically significant association was found between adenoid vegetation and SOM.
- Tympanometry revealed Type A, B, and C patterns in patients with adenoid vegetation.
Conclusions:
- SOM can be detected in children presenting without overt ENT symptoms.
- Routine screening for SOM in pediatric patients, particularly those with potential risk factors like adenoid hypertrophy, is advisable.
Abstract:
Introduction Otitis media with effusion is the fluid in the middle ear with no signs or symptoms of acute ear infection. Objective This study aims to research the frequency of serous otitis media in patients referred to the pediatric clinic between 3-16 years of age without any active ear, nose, and throat complaints. Methods This study included 589 children patients (280 boys, 309 girls; mean age: 9.42; range 3-16) who were administered to the pediatric clinic without otolaryngologic complaints. Patients underwent examination with flexible nasopharyngoscopy for adenoid hypertrophy. An otorhinolaryngologist examined all children on both ears using an otoscope and tested with tympanometry. We used tympanometry results to diagnose SOM. Results The study included 589 patients that underwent fiber optic examination of the nasopharynx with an endoscope. Adenoid vegetation was present in 58 patients (9.8%) and was not detected in 531 patients (90.2%). We found serous otitis media in 94 (15.9%) patients. We obtained Type A tympanogram in 47 (81%) of 58 patients with adenoid vegetation, 6 (10.3%) Type B, and 5 (8.6%) Type C. When comparing 58 patients with adenoid vegetation with 538 patients without adenoid vegetation for serous otitis media, the frequency was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion We believe that in children without any ear, nose, and throat complaints, it is possible to detect serous otitis media with adenoid vegetation. Thus, pediatric patients should undergo screening at regular intervals.