Treatment with sulfur hexafluoride in children with serous otitis media. An alternative to tubulation.
In this pilot study, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a nontoxic inert gas infused into the ear during myringotomy and acting as a gas cushion behind an intact eardrum, was tested on five children with bilateral serous otitis media. The contralateral ear was treated with air as a control. A significant difference in air-bone gaps (frequencies, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz) lasting at least eight weeks was found between the ears treated with SF6 and the air-treated ears. No side effects were noted. Tympanograms showed varying patterns. The long-term effects were also favorable for the SF6-treated ears. In selected cases, eg, ears with thin scars and retractions, this might be a valuable alternative to tubulation. Further studies are being carried out.
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000388:Air; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005740:Gases; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000628:therapy*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D012008:Recurrence; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005740:Gases; D005459:Fluorides; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride