Abstract
Objective and method: From the viewpoint of new otolaryngologists, cases of otitis media with effusion (OME) caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction tend to be overlooked, while the mechanism of OME is gradually understood. Children in lower grades with tonsillitis, adenoid hyperplasia, sinusitis, and an immature Eustachian tube have been encountered. Children in upper grades with a habit of sniffing (HS), presenting for treatment by general practitioners, are also encountered. The training involved one case where insertion of a tympanic ventilation tube was requested by the general practitioner and another case with atelectasis. The conditions of the patients were assessed based on interviews, eardrum views, and assessment of the degree of ventilation of the Eustachian tube.
Result: The condition of children in lower grades improved with conservative treatment, and the condition of children in upper grades improved with cessation of HS.
Discussion: According to the 2015 medical treatment guidelines of OME, tympanic ventilation tubes should be inserted in cases of atelectasis, based on recommendation level A. However, the condition of the patients has been shown to improve with cessation of HS. Young otorhinolaryngologists often perform the insertion of tympanic ventilation tubes. It is important to consider not only the phenomena of hearing loss and exudate retention in the tympanum, but also the mechanism of exudate retention. We should make a careful judgement about whether to insert tympanic ventilation tubes or not, because the complications of tympanic ventilation tube insertion cannot be ignored.
