Spontaneous course and frequency of secretory otitis in 4-year-old children.
Five repetitive tympanometric screenings performed during one year in 288 randomized, otherwise healthy 4-year-old children showed that 50% of ears changed tympanogram type between each trial. The total frequency of secretory otitis was high; thus, 32% of all 576 ears had type B at least once and 73% had either type B or C2, indicating a middle ear pressure of -200 mm H2O or lower. At three trials during at least six months, 8% had type B and 24% either type B or C2. The spontaneous improvement of secretory otitis was high, and type B improved in 78% to 88% of ears, although in some ears the type again deteriorated. Severe changes of the tympanic membrane were found in 0.5% of ears, and it is therefore advised to postpone surgical treatment of secretory otitis for three to six months.
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012621:Seasons; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology