Maxillary sinusitis in children with otitis media with effusion

Sinus radiographs have been carried out on 240 new cases of childhood otitis media with effusion (OME). When the films were suggestive of infection, maxillary sinus washouts were carried out as part of the surgical treatment. Abnormal X-rays were obtained in 28 per cent of the study group, but only 16 cases (seven per cent) of sinus infection were confirmed on antral lavage. In those with positive washouts, there was an apparent relationship between the findings in the maxillary sinuses and middle ears of the same side in some of the cases. There was also evidence of improvement of the middle ear disease when the sinus infection was successfully treated. It does not appear that sinus infection is an important cause of OME, though it may be relevant in a small number of cases.