3-1

MediFocus MedCenter ©

Chronic Otitis Media
(TL005)

Introduction


Otitis media (OM) is an inflammatory condition of the middle ear that is initiated by functional or mechanical obstruction of the eustachian tube, which leads to changing pressures of the gases in the middle ear. This subsequently allows fluid to flow into the middle ear followed by bacteria.

OM is a common childhood disease and is, in fact, the most frequent primary diagnosis at visits to US physicians by children younger than 15 years. OM primarily affects infants and preschoolers: almost all children experience one or more episodes of otitis media before age 6.

Acute otitis media (AOM) is defined as fluid in the middle ear accompanied by signs or symptoms of ear infection (bulging eardrum usually accompanied by pain; or perforated eardrum, often with drainage of purulent or infectious material). Otitis media with effusion (OME) is defined as fluid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of ear infection.

OME is defined as chronic when middle ear effusion (MEE) has been present for at least 3 months. Chronic OME, which arises from a complex series of inflammatory events in the middle ear, affects approximately 5-30% of children. The duration of MEE is 16-20 weeks during the first 2 years of life.

Most cases of otitis media with effusion resolve spontaneously. Persistence of OME longer than 6 weeks and/or the development of hearing loss are then reevaluated to determine the need for further evaluation, antibiotic therapy, or other interventions, which may include surgery.

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information


The Medifocus Guide on Chronic Otitis Media provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:


What Your Doctor Reads:


This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:


MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information


MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.

© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.


Return to the MedFocus Medical Center Main Directory