Diagnosis and management of eosinophilic otitis media: a systematic review

Eosinophilic Otitis Media (EOM) is a relatively newly defined entity of recurrent and resistant otitis media.

To perform a systematic review of otologic manifestations, diagnosis and management of eosinophilic otitis media (EOM).

393 patients diagnosed with EOM of 26 studies met inclusion criteria and were assessed for demographics, otologic manifestations, diagnostic criteria fulfilled, and medical and surgical treatments.

Most common otologic manifestations were hearing loss (65%), otitis media with effusion (16%), tympanic membrane perforation (13%), and otorrhea (13%). 93% had a predominantly eosinophilic middle ear effusion, 95% had asthma, 85% had a highly viscous middle ear effusion, 71% had nasal polyposis, and 58% had resistance to conventional treatment. For treatment, 39% received intratympanic steroid injections, 33% received systemic steroids, 17% received steroid ear drops and 13% received a biological agent. 39% of patients underwent a surgical intervention with 26% receiving functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 18% receiving myringotomy with tube insertion. Success rates were highest with use of intratympanic steroids (45%), systemic steroids (26%), and biological agents (58%).

Intratympanic steroids show the most efficacy in treating EOM, and aggressive optimization of asthma may be beneficial in resolving otologic symptoms. Surgery should be reserved for refractory cases and complications.