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Management of otitis media with effusion in adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2025

Robert Peter Mills Open the ORCID record for Robert Peter Mills [Opens in a new window]
Robert Peter Mills*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Khon Kaen, Nai Mueang, Thailand
*
Corresponding author: Robert Peter Mills; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives

To gather and analyse information from the literature concerning the management of otitis media with effusion in adults.

Methods

A review of the English-language literature from 1970 to the present.

Results

Ventilation tubes have been the standard treatment for otitis media with effusion in adults, but examination of the results of published studies shows that they are associated with disappointing outcomes and significant complications, notably intermittent or chronic discharge, particularly in cases associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube, intratympanic steroid therapy and cortical mastoidectomy appear to be possible alternatives.

Conclusion

A rethink of the management of otitis media with effusion in adults is needed, together with further research. For cases not associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, intratympanic steroid therapy appears to be a promising option.

Keywords

otitis media with effusionadulttympanic membrane perforationmiddle ear ventilationradiotherapynasopharyngeal carcinomamastoidectomy
Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Robert Peter Mills takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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