Abstract
Introduction Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a leading cause of hearing impairment in children.
Therefore, early and proper management is essential.
Objectives The objective of this research is to assess the efficacy of intratympanic (IT) steroids
injection for management of otitis media with effusion (OME).
Methods This study involved 42 children (84 ears) with bilateral OME. We used tympanometry
to confirm the childreńs middle ear effusion and pure tone audiometry to determine
hearing threshold. We performed myringotomy and inserted ventilation tubes (VTs) bilaterally,
followed by a steroid injection of 0.4–0.6 mL methylprednisolone (40 mg/mL) into one
randomly selected middle ear. This procedure was followed by once-weekly administration
of steroids (0.5 mL methylprednisolone at a concentration of 40 mg/mL) into the middle
ear for three consecutive weeks.
Results We found recurrent OME after VT alone in nine (21.4%) ears; whereas, after VT combined
with steroid administration, we found two (4.76%), with statistically significant
difference. We noted tympanosclerosis postoperatively in six (12.9%) ears and in one
of the injected ears (2.3%) (p = 0.0484). Otorrhea occurred in eight (19%) ears with VT alone and in three (7.1%)
injected ears, with non-significant difference. The duration between VT insertion
and its extrusion was 6.6 = 1.1 months for ears with VT alone and 6.95 =1.12 months
in injected ears (p = 0.1541 NS).
Conclusion IT Steroids injection for treatment of OME is a safe and simple intervention with
lower incidence of symptoms recurrence and postoperative complications. Thus, its
use in management of OME is recommended.
Keywords
middle ear effusion - steroid - tympanometry
