Otitis Media With Effusion Questions & Answers

Updated: Feb 14, 2022
  • Author: Thomas S Higgins, Jr, MD, MSPH; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the approach to treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How is otitis media with effusion (OME) distinguished from other forms of middle ear infections?

What is the approach to workup and diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How frequently does otitis media with effusion (OME) occur following resolution of acute otitis media (AOM)?

What is the classic theory of acute otitis media (AOM) pathogenesis?

What are alternative theories of acute otitis media (AOM) pathogenesis?

What is the possible pathogenesis of middle ear effusion (MEE) in otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Why is otitis media with effusion (OME) ubiquitous in children with a cleft palate?

What are is the role of bacterial flora in the etiology of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in acute otitis media (AOM)?

How frequently are pathogenic agents found in tympanocentesis specimens of acute otitis media (AOM)?

What is the relationship between viral and bacterial infection in the etiology of acute otitis media (AOM)?

What is the difference in pathogens between otitis media with effusion (OME) and acute otitis media (AOM)?

What factors are associated with increased risk for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Which environmental factors increase the risk of developing otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How does the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) vary by age?

How does eustachian tube disruption affect the risk for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What role does diet play in the development of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the prevalence of middle ear infections among children in the US?

What is the incidence of middle ear effusion (MEE), acute otitis media (AOM), and otitis media with effusion (OME) among children in the US?

How does the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) vary by race?

How does the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) vary by sex?

What are possible complications of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the prognosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How frequently does otitis media with effusion (OME) recur?

What are the most important reasons for treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What information about otitis media with effusion (OME) should primary care providers (PCPs) and parents receive?

What can decrease the frequency of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the risk for otitis media with effusion (OME) among breastfed infants?

Presentation

What is the relationship between otitis media with effusion (OME), acute otitis media (AOM), and middle ear effusion (MEE)?

What are the signs and symptoms of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How can otoscopic findings differentiate acute otitis media (AOM) from otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Which physical findings suggest otitis media with effusion (OME)?

DDX

How is unilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) diagnosed in adults?

What should be evaluated in children with otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Otitis Media With Effusion?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of radiography in the evaluation of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of CT scanning in the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of MRI in the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of tympanometry in the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

At what age is tympanometry reliable for diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are the advantages to tympanometry for diagnosing otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of language testing in the workup of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of tympanocentesis in the diagnosis and management of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of myringotomy in the workup of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Treatment

When is inpatient care for otitis media with effusion (OME) indicated?

What is the role of medical interventions in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of autoinflation in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What specialist consultations are needed in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of risk modification in the management of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Which risk factor modifications are used to decrease the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the efficacy of risk factor modification in decreasing otitis media with effusion (OME) prevalence?

What are the pharmacologic treatment options for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of steroids in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of antihistamines and decongestants in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of mucolytics in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are the surgical options for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are indications for surgical treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How frequently does otitis media with effusion (OME) have spontaneous resolution?

What conditions associated with otitis media with effusion (OME) require surgical intervention, and when is pressure equalization tube insertion indicated for the treatment of OME?

What are the recommendations for pediatric otolaryngology procedures with regard to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

What is the role of myringotomy and aspiration of effusion in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of myringotomy with pressure equalization tube (PET) insertion in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are complications of myringotomy with pressure equalization tube (PET) insertion for the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the efficacy of tympanostomy tubes for treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of adenoidectomy in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are complications of adenoidectomy as a treatment for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the rationale for adenoidectomy as treatment for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What improves following adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How does adenoidectomy result in decreased colonization of bacteria in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

How frequently should patients be monitored following treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What specific follow-up care is recommended for patients with otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What is the role of the otolaryngologist in the follow-up of patients with otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Guidelines

What are the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) recommendations for the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for assessment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) recommendations for treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) treatment guidelines for otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Which organizations have issued guidelines for the diagnosis and management of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What do the 2013 University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) guidelines recommend for the diagnosis of middle ear effusion (MEE)?

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) guidelines, which children may be at risk for speech, language, and learning problems with otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What are the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) recommendations for tympanostomy tube insertion to treat otitis media with effusion (OME)?

What treatments for otitis media with effusion (OME) are specifically not recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines?

Medications

What is the efficacy of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics, Otic are used in the treatment of Otitis Media With Effusion?

Which medications in the drug class Topical Nasal Steroids are used in the treatment of Otitis Media With Effusion?