Otitis media with effusion:diagnosis and treatment

Otitis media with effusion (serous otitis media) is characterised by an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane, without the symptoms or signs of acute infection. Serous otitis media is the most common cause of hearing loss in children in the developed world. Hearing loss may be affected speech, cognitive, and psychological development of the childeren. In addition, otitis media with effusion is not only seen in children, this sign may present with signs of nasopharyngeal diseases. For this reason, especially in childhood otitis media with effusion should be treated by early diagnosis. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2013; 22(2.000): 194-208]