[Craniofacial development in secretory otitis]

The AA. consider in a population of 76 children, the connexion between bony palate, choanae and the M. tensor veli palatini and the occurrence of secretory otitis. They measured for this purpose several craniofacial structures "in vivo". Children suffering secretory otitis presented, contrary to children without aural pathology, a greater incidence of gothic palate (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease of both palatine (p < 0.05) and choanae (p < 0.001). All children showed going through puberty an palatinal and choanal growth as well a closure of the M. tensor veli palatini angle.