Exudative Otitis Media
Serous otitis media Overview
Exudative otitis media is a condition in which fluid accumulates behind the eardrum, either as a complication of a cold or rhinitis, or when acute otitis media is left untreated.
It occurs most frequently in children, whose ear structures are not yet fully developed and who are prone to colds, but it can also occur in adults with poor Eustachian tube function.
However, children often have difficulty expressing these symptoms, so it is common for them to remain asymptomatic until the condition is discovered by chance during a doctor’s visit for a cold or other illness.
Serous otitis media Causes
Inside the ear is a tube called the Eustachian tube, which acts as a valve to regulate the pressure inside the middle ear.
One end of the Eustachian tube is located inside the eardrum, and the other end connects to the very back of the nose, where the nose and throat meet.
If you have a cold or rhinitis, the Eustachian tube can become swollen, impairing its function, and inflammation in the throat or nose can spread through the Eustachian tube into the ear.
When the Eustachian tube’s function is impaired, negative pressure builds up behind the eardrum; this negative pressure draws fluid from the mucous membrane inside the ear, and inflammation behind the eardrum also causes fluid to accumulate.
Fluid buildup behind the eardrum is not caused by water entering from the outside, but rather by inflammation and negative pressure on the inner side of the eardrum, which causes fluid to accumulate there.
In children, the Eustachian tube is structurally and functionally less developed than in adults, and it is easily blocked by the adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsils) located behind the nose, making them more susceptible to otitis media.
Transfer — Pressure-regulating valve in the eardrum
Connects the ear to the area where the nose and throat meet
Serous otitis media Diagnosis & Testing
Microscopic examination, histological examination
Since exudative otitis media often has no symptoms other than a feeling of fullness in the ear, it can only be diagnosed by examining the eardrum with an otoscope or microscope to confirm the presence of fluid (exudate) behind the eardrum.
Eardrum Mobility Test
A tympanometry test is performed to assess the amount of fluid in the middle ear, its viscosity, and the progress of treatment. Audiometric testing and other tests may also be conducted to determine the degree of hearing loss caused by otitis media and to establish a treatment plan.
X-ray examination, nasal endoscopy
In addition, children may require X-rays or nasal endoscopy to check for enlarged adenoids, and in adults, otitis media with effusion may occasionally occur because the opening of the Eustachian tube at the back of the nose is blocked by a tumor; therefore, it is necessary to examine the back of the nose with an endoscope.
Serous otitis media Treatment
Inside the ear is a tube called the Eustachian tube, which acts as a valve to regulate the pressure inside the middle ear.
One end of the Eustachian tube is located inside the eardrum, and the other end connects to the very back of the nose, where the nose and throat meet.
If you have a cold or rhinitis, the Eustachian tube can become swollen, impairing its function, and inflammation in the throat or nose can spread through the Eustachian tube into the ear.
When the Eustachian tube’s function is impaired, negative pressure builds up behind the eardrum; this negative pressure draws fluid from the mucous membrane inside the ear, and inflammation behind the eardrum also causes fluid to accumulate.
Fluid buildup behind the eardrum is not caused by water entering from the outside, but rather by inflammation and negative pressure on the inner side of the eardrum, which causes fluid to accumulate there.
In children, the Eustachian tube is structurally and functionally less developed than in adults, and it is easily blocked by the adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsils) located behind the nose, making them more susceptible to otitis media.
2 to 4 weeks
2 to 4 weeks
2 to 4 times a month
Recurrent or chronic otitis media may require a longer course of treatment.
- Serous otitis media
- After myringotomy
- After ventilation tube insertion
- Middle-ear effusion removed during surgery
This surgery, in which a tube (ventilation tube) is inserted into the eardrum using a microscope, is performed in cases where there is no response to several months of medication or frequent recurrences, when severe structural changes occur in the eardrum, or when hearing begins to deteriorate significantly.
While adults can generally undergo surgery under local anesthesia, children require general anesthesia.
The Eustachian tube helps regulate the pressure inside the ear when the Eustachian tube itself is unable to do so properly, and it helps drain fluid from the ear and ventilate it with fresh air.
The tube remains in place for several months to as long as a year, and while the tube is in place, no fluid accumulates behind the eardrum.
After a certain amount of time, the eardrum heals, and the tube will naturally fall out on its own. Once the tube has fallen out, if the Eustachian tube function has recovered and the ear has become healthy enough to resist otitis media, the child will not develop another case of otitis media; however, if the Eustachian tube function has not yet matured or recovered enough to resist otitis media, the condition may recur.
When the tonsils or adenoids are the cause of otitis media, surgery to remove them may be performed in conjunction with the insertion of ear tubes to reduce the recurrence of otitis media.
Otitis Media Treatment System
01
Diagnosis
Check for Rhinitis
- Intranasal Examination
- Nasal Endoscopy
- Sinus X-ray
- Allergy Testing
02
PLAN
When Surgery Is Necessary
- Intranasal Airflow Test
- Olfactory Test
- Blood Test
- Urinalysis
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) Test
03
Surgery
1 DAY System
- Same-Day Admission, Surgery, and Discharge
- High-Frequency Surgical Equipment
- (Used in Sutter, Germany)
- Use of CO2 Laser Surgical Equipment
04
Postoperative Care
Preventing Recurrence
- Visit the clinic twice a week for the first 3 weeks after surgery
- After that, please visit the clinic depending on your condition
- Regular checkups twice a year
Otitis Media Types of Surgery and Their Effects
- This surgery is performed when inflammation is confined to the eardrum or the middle ear; it is conducted under local anesthesia and takes about one hour.
- This surgery is performed in cases of severe inflammation. It is conducted under general anesthesia and takes about 2 hours. Depending on the condition of the ear, the procedure may be performed through the ear canal (external auditory canal) without leaving a large external scar, or through an incision behind the ear.
By reducing inflammation
Prevents oozing.
Reconstruct the eardrum
It prevents bacterial invasion.
Keeping the inside of your ear clean
I will maintain it.
Hearing
We are making improvements.
Otitis Media Surgical Outcomes
Patients can be discharged the same day for procedures performed under local anesthesia, while those requiring general anesthesia will need to stay in the hospital for about 1 to 2 days.
Available starting one week after surgery
Complete regeneration occurs 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. However, depending on the type of surgery, a longer period may be required.
If a laryngoplasty is performed at the same time, discharge may occur for up to 3 months after surgery.
In cases where the inflammation is not severe, hearing can usually be restored with a single surgery; however, in cases of severe inflammation, surgery to remove the inflammation may be performed first, followed by surgery to improve hearing. This second surgery to improve hearing is typically performed under local anesthesia at least six months after the initial surgery.
After surgery Important Notes
Hearing usually recovers after surgery, but in less than 3% of patients, hearing may actually deteriorate further after surgery. Occasionally, persistent ear discharge, tinnitus, and dizziness may occur.
Temporary facial nerve paralysis may also occur.
If you experience mild pain inside or around your ear, or if the discharge worsens, consult a doctor immediately.
Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have about ear discomfort. We hope you maintain healthy ears through proper diagnosis and treatment.