On the Basis of 205 answers from ENT doctors to questionaires on the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children, we attempted to evaluate these therapies from the view-points of pathogenesis of OME: eustachian tube dysfunction and upper respiratory inflammation.
For compensation of tubal dysfunction, air inflation of the tube, puncture of the drum, myringotomy and placement of tympanostomy tubes are performed. However, we should be aware that the duration of the effect of ventilating the middle ear cavity varies greatly depending on the method.
For improvement of upper respiratory inflammation, including the nose and eustachian tube, administration of antibiotics etc, and conservative treatment of rhinitis and paranasal sinusitis were frequently carried out. However, antibiotics have only a temporary effect on OME. On the other hand, treatment of paranasal sinusitis, which frequently accompanies OME in children, was found to be effective.
In general, we should take it into account that OME in children has the characteristic of spontaneous healing with increasing age. Therefore, in using the therapeutic methods mentioned above, we should select the proper one in relation to both the age of the child and the duration or severity of the OME.
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