Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

The otitis media with effusion is not very common in adults. This study was carried out to find etiology of otitis media with effusion in adults. It was a prospective study carried out at Allied Hospital Faisalabad from Sep 2007 to Sep 2012.Total 50 patients 30 males (60%) and 20 females (40%) between 20 years to 60 years of age. The mean age was 30 years. In 35 patients (70%) glue ear was bilateral and in 15 patients (30%) it was unilateral. Tympanometry was performed in all the 50 patients which showed type-B tympanogram in all the 50 (100%) subjects. The most common etiological factor was upper respiratory tract infection (50%). The most common presenting symptom was conductive   deafness (100%).The most common sign was immobile tympanic membrane (60%).The severity of the hearing loss in majority of the cases was moderate (60%).The treatment modalities used in majority of patients were antibiotic (40%) followed by grommet insertion (30%).The otitis media with effusion in adults must be properly investigated to rule out any grave pathology in nasopharynx and to avoid further complications of otitis media with effusion such as adhesions, perforation etc.