Tympanic membrane atelectasis in childhood otitis media with effusion

A prospective study on the dynamics of tympanic membrane atelectasis during the treatment for glue ear was performed in a sample of 115 ears of 83 children aged between one and 11 years. The progression in the degree of pars tensa atelectasis was analysed in relation to six potentially relevant factors. Multivariate analysis showed that the factor with the most predictive value on the progression of the pars tensa retraction was the grade of atelectasis at initial detection (p < 0.0001). The use of grommets did not have any significant influence on the outcome grade of atelectasis. There was an association between previous grommet insertion and localized retractions in the inferior segment of the pars tensa (p < 0.0001). However, localized retractions in the postero-superior quadrant were not associated with previous grommet insertion (p < 0.02). Although the hearing thresholds of atelectatic ears were significantly worse than normal ears especially at 4 kHz (p < 0.006), the difference was less than 5 dB.