Alterations in tympanic membrane appearance and middle ear function in 11-year-old children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate compared with healthy age-matched subjects

Forty-four 11-year-old children born with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate were examined to determine the frequency and the extent of changes in the tympanic membrane and the middle ear function and compared with 16 healthy children of the same age. The incidence of hearing impairment, abnormal middle ear pressure, retraction of the pars flaccida and abnormal tympanic membrane appearance were 24, 44, 23 and 67% respectively among the patients while the same parameters in the control group were 0, 12.5, 6 and 12%. Previous grommet insertion in the patient group was statistically correlated to both tympanic membrane abnormality and abnormal middle ear pessure but, remarkably, no association was found between grommet insertion and hearing impairment. The poor middle ear function in the children with cleft lip and palate was probably a result of reduced Eustachian tube function.     

腭裂与中耳功能障碍的相关性

目的：探讨腭裂手术对患者中耳功能的影响,为早期改善患者中耳功能提供依据。方法：对112例(224耳)腭裂患者进行年龄分组,采用声导抗、纯音测听或听性脑干反应检查。65例腭裂伴分泌性中耳炎患者在作腭裂修复术的同时,行鼓室置管术,术前术后作听力学检测,术前对鼓室分泌物作细菌培养。结果：腭裂患者常伴有不同程度的中耳功能障碍,腭裂修复术能明显改善患者中耳功能(P＜0.05)。鼓室分泌物Ｇ+、Ｇ-细菌培养阳性率为22.86%、23.53%,且多为低毒性条件致病菌。结论：腭裂患者常有中耳功能障碍,应重视其早期预防与治疗,早期修复腭裂有助于咽鼓管功能恢复。     

Late ear sequelae in cleft palate patients

This retrospective study looks at the incidence and nature of ear disease in 50 adolescent patients who had cleft palates repaired in infancy. Half of these patients had a history of grommet insertion. We found that most patients had normal hearing (81%) and middle-ear pressures (86%), although about half had tympanic membrane abnormalities. Grommet insertion did not result in better long-term hearing in this study but was strongly associated with tympanosclerosis. Cleft type did not influence the degree of ear disease although more patients with complete clefts had a history of repeated grommet insertion. Otitis media with effusion is almost universal in cleft palate infants and may influence later language, speech and educational development. At the time of palatal repair grommets should be inserted to improve hearing in these infants.     

唇腭裂术后患儿的听力学特征分析

目的：探讨唇腭裂术后患儿的听力学特征。方法：对62例唇腭裂术后患儿进行DPOAE、ABR和声导抗检查,分析其听力学检查结果。结果：以ABR阈值为诊断标准,诊断为听力异常者共51耳,以轻度和中度异常为主;63耳鼓室导抗图异常,表现为不同程度的中耳功能障碍;26耳DPOAE检查未通过。结论：唇腭裂术后患儿听力异常的比例高。3种客观听力学检查方法在唇腭裂术后的患儿检查中具有高度一致性。     

腭裂修复术对患儿中耳功能的影响

目的 观察腭裂修复术对患儿中耳功能和听力的影响,为患儿听力问题的合理治疗提供依据.方法 197例患儿分为低年龄组（3～7岁）和高年龄组（8～12岁）.耳内镜下检查鼓膜像及咽鼓管咽口,鼓室图及纯音听阈测定.术后6个月复查.结果 患儿鼓膜的不可逆性病变8～12岁组明显高于3～7岁组.患儿咽鼓管咽口多呈裂隙状、圆脐状或过度宽大,咽鼓管咽口周围黏膜充血肿胀,有分泌物、食物残渣存留,术后得到明显改善.3～7岁组术后听力提高及A型鼓室图明显优于8～12岁组.结论 腭裂修复术后的软腭能分隔口腔和鼻腔,减少了鼻咽部感染的机会,有利于中耳功能恢复和听力的提高.提倡患儿早期手术,耳科医师应早期参与到治疗过程中,使患儿的中耳疾病在早期得到有效治疗.     

Treatment of persistent middle ear effusion in cleft palate patients

Objectives

The goals of the research project are to learn how to individualize otologic care for cleft palate patients and to be able to counsel families of children with cleft palate on the benefit of tympanostomy tubes, hearing issues and risks of multiple sets of tubes.

Methods

The study is a retrospective chart review. Patients with a cleft palate with or without a cleft lip born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2005 referred to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Craniofacial Department were included in the study. The patients were offered individualized ear surgery (PE tube placement) only if persistent middle ear fluid was present for over 3 months with a conductive hearing impairment. The primary outcome measures included the newborn hearing screening results, number of ear tube surgeries, and complications of PE tube insertion.

Results

There were 86 patients with cleft palate spectrum with or without cleft lip (45 females and 41 males). Twelve had undocumented newborn hearing evaluations. Of the 74 evaluable results, 61 (82%) passed the newborn hearing screening, 8 (11%) failed and 5 (7%) were inconclusive. By 5 years old, 84 (98%) patients received at least one set of ear tubes for persistent middle ear fluid with conductive hearing impairment, while 2 received no tubes (2%). Of those who received ear tubes, the range was 1-6 with a mean of 1.7. Twelve patients (14%) had tympanosclerosis. Eight patients (9%) had eardrum perforation. One patient had myringoincudopexy. Of the 86 patients, 12 had undocumented newborn hearing evaluations. Of the 74 evaluable results, 61 (82%) passed the newborn hearing screening, 8 (11%) failed and 5 (7%) were inconclusive.

Conclusions

(1) The majority of children born with cleft palate do not have middle ear fluid at birth. (2) Most children with cleft palate will likely develop persistent middle ear fluid with conductive hearing loss. Risks of complications from ear tubes in cleft palate patients are few and manageable using standard sized ear tubes.     

Goode T-tubes: do the benefits of their use outweigh their complications?

In this retrospective study of 130 ears over a 5-year period, the effect of intubation with the Goode T-tube was evaluated. The tubes improved the hearing in 86% of ears with a conductive loss secondary to a middle ear effusion to an average 5 dB airbone gap. They improved the early stage retracted tympanic membrane but had no effect on the established postero-superior retraction pocket. They were successful in treating barotrauma. The main complication with their use was otorrhoea which occurred in 28% of ears, and persistent perforation occurring in 6% of the ears. Seventy-seven per cent of tubes were in place after 36 months. Extrusion was significantly related to infection in the ear, and also to the presence of glue on insertion but there was no correlation between the number of previous grommets or the age of the patient. The Goode T-tube is advocated for use in middle ear effusion refractory to conventional grommet insertion or that due to cleft palate.     

Parental perceptions of grommet insertion in children with cleft palate

Otitis media with effusion is almost universal in children with cleft palate and can delay speech, language and educational development by causing hearing loss. Grommet insertion at the time of cleft palate repair is common. There is debate about whether the benefits of grommets outweigh the risk of complications. A postal questionnaire was used to investigate parental perceptions of middle-ear ventilation via grommet insertion in children attending the multidisciplinary cleft palate clinic. These children's case notes were reviewed. Many children had speech and language delay, but parents thought this improved after grommet insertion. Overall parents were pleased with the results. This confirms that grommets have an important part to play in the management of children with cleft palate.     

Sequelae of otitis media with effusion among children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common among children with cleft palate, and may lead to such long-term consequences as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media (COM). In total, 104 children with cleft lip and/or palate treated for OME at our institution were reviewed. Mean duration of follow-up was 6.9 years, and mean age at latest follow-up was 9.6 years. The incidence of COM was 19%, and the incidence of cholesteatoma was 1.9%. Ears showing such long-term sequelae of OME as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media, were noted to have undergone a significantly greater number of ventilation tube insertions than ears not showing these sequalae. Our findings would suggest that a conservative approach to the management of OME in children with cleft palate is more likely to be beneficial in the long term.     

腭裂患儿分泌性中耳炎鼓室置管术疗效分析

目的　观察鼓室置管术在治疗腭裂患儿分泌性中耳炎听力损失的疗效 ,探讨中耳通气管的选择、手术适应证及注意事项。方法　双耳伴发分泌性中耳炎伴听力损失的住院腭裂患儿 19例 ,平均年龄 5 8岁 ,平均气导语频听阈较大的一侧耳在腭裂修复术同期行鼓室置管术 ,对侧未置管耳作为对照组 ,术后 2周至 18个月复查 ,比较置管组及对照组腭裂术前、术后听阈的变化情况。结果置管组耳术后平均气导语频听阈 (2 7 0± 6 5 )dB较术前 (42 7± 8 2 )dB显著降低 ,而对照组耳术前(2 9 0± 6 1)dB、术后 (2 7 0± 4 1)dB听阈差异无显著性。置管组未见严重耳科并发症。结论　腭裂修复术同期鼓室置管术安全、有效 ,可恢复患者听力 ,有利于腭裂术后语音学习。     

Incidence and outcome of middle ear disease in cleft lip and/or cleft palate

OBJECTIVE: Otitis media with effusion is known to be very common among children with cleft palate, however, less is known regarding the natural history and outcome in this group. The purpose of the present study was to examine the incidence, natural history, treatment, and outcome of middle ear disease in children with clefts. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the parents of all children registered on the cleft lip and palate database at our institution. The medical records of all respondents were also reviewed. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Fisher's exact test in contingency tables and binary logistic regression analyses, where appropriate. RESULTS: 397 fully completed questionnaires were returned. Ear disease was much more common in children with cleft palate, or cleft lip and palate, than in children with cleft lip. Among children with cleft palate, ear problems (infections and/or hearing loss) were most prevalent in the 4-6-year-old age group. However, ear problems persisted at a substantial level for many years after this; only after the age of 12 years did problems appear to settle. The incidence of below normal current hearing and of surgery for chronic otitis media was significantly related to history of ear infections (P=0.000 and 0.000, respectively), and to increased number of ventilation tube insertions (P=0.000 and 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Middle ear disease is common in children with cleft palate, and, unlike the case for children without clefts, has a prolonged recovery, and a substantial incidence of late sequelae. The higher incidence of below normal hearing and surgery for chronic otitis media in children undergoing a greater number of ventilation tube insertions, although most likely reflecting an increased underlying severity of otitis media in these children, also underlines the lack of long-term benefits of ventilation tubes in this group.     

Extended high-frequency hearing loss in children with cleft palate

Hearing sensitivity for frequencies 250 through 20 000 Hz was compared between children with repaired cleft palate and a history of otitis media, and children without cleft palate or middle ear disease. All subjects were clear of middle ear effusion during the evaluation. Although children in the cleft palate group had consistently poorer hearing throughout the auditory range, statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences in hearing levels above 9 000 Hz only. No statistical difference was observed for the standard clinical audiometric frequencies. Extra-high-frequency hearing loss appears to be associated with cleft palate and its sequelae.     

Sequelae of otitis media with effusion among children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate1

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common among children with cleft palate, and may lead to such long‐term consequences as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media (COM). In total, 104 children with cleft lip and/or palate treated for OME at our institution were reviewed. Mean duration of follow‐up was 6.9 years, and mean age at latest follow‐up was 9.6 years. The incidence of COM was 19%, and the incidence of cholesteatoma was 1.9%. Ears showing such long‐term sequelae of OME as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media, were noted to have undergone a significantly greater number of ventilation tube insertions than ears not showing these sequalae. Our findings would suggest that a conservative approach to the management of OME in children with cleft palate is more likely to be beneficial in the long term.     

Ergebnisse der Behandlung des Mucoserotympanon bei Kindern mit und ohne Gaumenspalte

Summary Therapeutic results in the treatment of secretory otitis media were compared in children with and without cleft palate.The children were treated by the implantation of a ventilatory tube. Prae- and postoperative data of a total of 551 patients were evaluated by a computer system.Following results were obtained: Severity of change in the mean conductive type hearing impairment in patients with and without cleft palate was nearly the same.The mean sound conduction components in both series after treatment showed no significant difference.After evaluating impedance measurements, children without cleft palate showed a slight improvement of pressure patterns in the middle ear, on the contrary, children with cleft palate showed a significant pressure decrease.Because of deterioration of pressure pattern in children with cleft palate, in spite of intensive treatment, implantation of a ventilatory tube, for a longer period is necessary.     

Thermal myringotomy (an alternative to grommet insertion in childhood secretory otitis media?)

Thirty-six children with bilateral secretory otitis media were treated by thermal myringotomy and middle ear aspiration in one ear, and conventional myringotomy, middle ear aspiration and Shepard grommet insertion in the other ear. All children underwent adenoidectomy. Comparing the effectiveness of the two different procedures over a three-month review period, our main findings are as follows. All thermal perforations were closed by 42 days. Elimination of middle ear fluid was achieved in 81 per cent of the thermal myringotomy group, and in 100 per cent of the grommet group. While there was no significant difference in the hearing improvement between the procedures, conventional myringotomy and grommet insertion provided significantly better sustained middle ear ventilation.     

Grommets and cholesteatoma in children

Cholesteatoma in children may be a sequel to chronic exudative otitis media with tympanic membrane retraction but the role of grommets in the possible facilitation of squamous epithelial invasion into the middle ear is not yet clear. A retrospective study was made of the history and prior treatment in 25 children who underwent mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma at St. Mary's Hospital between 1975 and 1986. Thirteen patients had undergone previous middle ear aeration procedures which included myringotomy, cortical mastoidectomy and grommets. There was no difference in the site or severity of cholesteatoma in the operated and non-operated cases. Of the seven patients with a history of multiple grommets three had primarily attic, and three had primarily mesotympanic disease. The latter had greater ossicular erosion. One patient with an intact tympanic membrane had grommet insertion subsequently developed a cholesteatoma. While cholesteatoma due directly to the presence of grommets is rare, it appears that children who require multiple grommet insertions constitute a high risk group and should be very closely monitored.     

学龄前腭裂患儿听力学特征分析

目的　对正常儿和腭裂患儿的听力学检查结果进行分析比对,以探讨腭裂患儿的听力学特点以及年龄因素的影响。方法　对60例（120耳）腭裂患儿和76例（152耳）正常儿进行听性脑干反应（auditory brainstem response,ABR）和声导抗检查。结果　≤1岁的腭裂患儿比1～2岁和2～6岁患儿的ABR阈值增加（前者S=5.927,后者S =6.020,P <0.05）。同一年龄段的患儿与正常儿相比,ABR阈值增加（t =8.588、5.436、7.003,P <0.001）,I、III、V波潜伏期明显延长（<1岁组t =9.388、4.727、2.398,1～2岁组t =5.386、6.218、5.255,2～7岁组t =7.038、7.282、7.308,P 均<0.05）。腭裂患儿的高频听力损失程度为轻、中度,无重度和极重度听力障碍。3个年龄段腭裂患儿阈值异常率、鼓室图异常率、镫骨肌声反射异常率和分泌性中耳炎患病率差异均无统计学意义（P >0.05）,而听力损失程度构成比差异有统计学意义（χ 2=14.20,P＜0.01）。结论　在学龄前婴幼儿腭裂群体中,当鼓室导抗图表现为B型或C型曲线,镫骨肌声反射未引出,同时ABR听阈增加,I、III、V波潜伏期延长,而各波间期无明显延长时,要高度警惕发生分泌性中耳炎,故应在早期行腭裂整复术同时进行鼓室置管术。     

Cleft palate and otitis media with effusion: a review

Otitis media with effusion is a common finding in children with cleft palate. However, although middle ear effusions have been reported to be almost universal among infants with cleft palate, less is known regarding the epidemiology, natural history, and outcome of middle ear disease among older children with cleft palate. Furthermore, considerable controversy surrounds the management of otitis media with effusion in these children: many authors have advocated a policy of early or scheduled ventilation tube insertion on account of the high incidence of hearing loss and speech difficulties; others have advocated a more conservative policy on account of the high incidence of complications from ventilation tubes and lack of evidence supporting a policy of early intervention. In the present paper, we review the epidemiology, aetiology, and natural history of middle ear disease in children with cleft palate. We also discuss the controversies involved in the management of these patients.     

Hearing levels and age in cleft palate patients

Tonal audiometry was used to compare hearing levels in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) (57 patients), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) (124 patients) and isolated cleft palate (ICP) (62 patients), and according to age groups. Patients with isolated cleft palate showed greater improvement in hearing level with age than patients with UCLP and BCLP; as adults they showed the lowest frequency of ears with hearing level of less than 40 dB, and the highest frequency of ears with hearing levels of 11–20 dB. Patients with BCLP had a higher frequency of ears with a hearing level of 21–40 dB during early childhood and adult age than patients with ICP. Patients with UCLP and BCLP showed a slower decrease with age in the frequency of ears with hearing loss than patients with ICP; the hearing level in patients with UCLP and BCLP improved only in groups with hearing levels of 21–40 dB, while those with hearing levels above 40 dB showed no significant improvement with age.Conservative therapeutic methods for normalization of the hearing level and middle ear state were found to be inefficient in the cleft palate population Thus, early surgical treatment (ventilation tube insertion) appears to be the therapy of choice.     

Otologic findings in adult patients with lip, jaw, palate clefts

In a clinical study 27 adults with cleft lip and palate (mean age 21.9 years) were examined to look for long-term results of hearing and pathology of the tympanic membrane. 69.2% of the ears showed normal hearing; the threshold of mean hearing loss never exceeded the 20 dB-level. Slight changes of the tympanic membrane could be seen in 48.2%, severe changes in 16.7%.