The purpose of this report is to analyze the degree of inflammation in chronic otitis media (COM) and cholesteatoma at preoperative states.
Primary ear surgery was preformed on 299 ears from December 1994 to November 1998 at Hyogo College of Medicine. COM was found in 170 ears (56.8%) and cholesteatoma in 129 ears (43.2%). The types of cholesteatoma included pars flaccida type in 93 ears (72.1%), pars tensa type in 26 (20.2%), and congenital type in 10 (7.7%). Preoperative states were investigated from operative records, regarding chief symptoms, hearing level, surgical methods and intraoperative findings.
Results of COM were as follows: ears without otorrhea were found in more than 40%, and ears suffering from continuous otorrhea were less than 15%. Bone conduction hearing levels within 20dB were found in about 45%. Intact ossicular chains were found in about 85%, and tympanoplasty type I and simple underlay myringoplasty were performed in about 85%.
Results of cholesteatoma were as follows: bone conduction hearing levels within 20 dB were found in 60% of pars flaccida type, and in 35% of pars tensa type. Ears with intact ossicular chains were found in 50% of pars flassida type, and in 25% pars tensa type.
These findings suggested that cases of mild inflammation have recently increased in COM and cholesteatoma.
