Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and secretory otitis media

Abstract

We prospectively studied cases demonstrating secretory otitis media caused by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). HBO was used in 37 patients (73 ears) and the incidence of secretory otitis media was 23%. Elderly patients had a high incidence of secretory otitis media induced by HBO. Secretory otitis medea induced by HBO showed no correlation with sex or the number of HBO teratments. Secretory otitis media was induced by HBO more often in the patients with a C type tympanogram than in those with an A tipe. In addition, a high incidence of secretory otitis media by HBO was also observed in the patients who had a past history of middle ear diseases.