Serous otitis media: a six week prospective study

The purpose of this project was to attempt to outline the natural history of serous otitis media. Sixty-eight children with uni or bilateral serous otitis media were placed under observation for a six week period. They were all left untreated. Otoscopy, impedance, and audiogram measurements were used to monitor the evolution of the disease. Results showed that spontaneous resolution occurred in 35 per cent of cases. Girls were cured more frequently than boys. Furthermore, the disease receded more satisfactorily in the right than in the left ear. Within our group of patients, age was not a factor in the evolution of the otitis. Finally, the impedancometry and audiometry were not useful in assessing the probable evolution of this disease.