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。     

Otologic findings in an Inuit population of cleft palate children

Otitis media with effusion is almost universal in infants with cleft palate. Inuit children have a very high incidence of otitis media. The otologic problems of Inuit infants and children with cleft palate have not previously been reported. The current study presents 14 Inuit children with cleft palate. All show significant otitis media with effusion or chronic otitis media with tympanic membrane perforation. The management of otitis media in this special population of cleft palate children is discussed.     

Long-term clinical, audiologic, and radiologic outcomes in palate cleft children treated with early tympanostomy for otitis media with effusion: a controlled prospective study

OBJECTIVES: The role of tympanostomy in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children with palate cleft with regard to the otologic and audiologic outcome is controversial. Little is known about the development of the mastoid air cell system (MACS) in these children. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled, prospective. METHODS: All children born in the hospital district area of the Central Hospital of Central Finland during the years 1983 to 1993 with palate cleft were reviewed at the age of 6 months. A total of 39 patients were followed up for 6 years after primary tympanostomy. Otologic and audiologic data were collected, and the MACS size was planimetrically measured. The control group consisted of age-matched children without palate cleft suffering from OME and were identically reviewed. RESULTS: The otologic outcome was similar in the study group, 64.1%, and among the controls, 60.6% were healed. There were no serious otologic complications in the study group. The audiologic outcome was also similar, with a mean pure-tone average (0.5-2 kHz) of 10.5 dB and 10.9 dB for the corresponding groups. The initial size and growth of the MACS did not significantly differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of children with palate cleft treated with early tympanostomy is favorable and does not differ from children without palate cleft. Active treatment ensures normal hearing during the critical years of language, speech, and cognitive development and maintains the development of an aerated mastoid. We believe that early tympanostomy is the treatment of choice of OME in palate cleft children.     

新生儿及婴儿期腭裂患儿分泌性中耳炎的发病情况

目的：了解新生儿及婴儿期腭裂患儿发生分泌性中耳炎（SOM）和听力损失情况,探讨其中耳功能障碍的发病时间规律及SOM早期预测方法。方法：出生后1～2周行听性脑干反应（ABR）筛查,无感音神经性聋的73例新生儿及婴儿腭裂患儿,在婴儿期于每月龄末行ABR和声导抗检查。结合鼓室导抗图形、静态声顺值、镫骨肌声反射和ABR波V阈值作为SOM的判断指标;以ABR波V阈值作为2～4kHz范围的听损伤分级标准。结果：73例（146耳）腭裂患儿发生疑似SOM,发生率为100％,均于出生后6个月内发生,平均发生年龄为2．5月龄。其中115耳（78．8％）1岁内发生SOM,平均发病年龄为5．4月龄,出生后6个月时为相对发病高峰期;SOM的前驱期平均为3．8个月。婴儿期腭裂患儿56．2％会出现不同程度的听力损伤,ABR波V阈值平均为48．6dBnHL。结论：婴儿期腭裂患儿SOM发病率高,可引起听力损失,严重影响中耳功能,其发生呈渐进性过程;作为发生中耳功能障碍的高危人群,出生后1个月时应行听力检查,每2～3个月定期复查,无条件者至少6～12个月进行耳科检查,以早期发现、及时诊断。     

Expression of aquaporins mRNAs in patients with otitis media

Objective: This study analyzed the associations between measured levels of aquaporin (AQP) mRNAs and clinical manifestations in patients with various types of otitis media (OM).

Methods: AQP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 mRNA levels were assayed by real-time PCR from 57 patients with chronic otitis media (COM), 24 patients with cholesteatomatous otitis media (choleOM), and 82 patients with otitis media with effusion (OME). The relationships of these mRNA levels with the presence of bacteria, the type of hearing loss, and clinical manifestations of OM types were evaluated.

Results: All eight AQP mRNAs were expressed in inflammatory tissue, chole matrix, and effusion fluid obtained from all 163 patients with OM. The levels in OME of AQP2, 4, 6, and 10 mRNA; and the levels in choleOM of AQP1, 3, 4, and 10 mRNA were elevated significantly compared to the corresponding levels in COM (p?p?Conclusions: The levels of expression of AQP mRNA are associated with the pathophysiology of OM.     

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.     

Otological findings in adults with isolated cleft palate or cleft lip, jaw, and palate]

BACKGROUND: Children with cleft palate often develop middle ear ventilation disorders due to chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction. This may lead to hearing loss. The insertion of ventilation tubes is a widely accepted measure to avoid sequelae of middle ear ventilation disorders and hearing loss. On the other hand, long-term therapy with ventilation tubes may inflict iatrogenic complications. The objective of the study was the evaluation of otoscopic and audiometric long-term findings in adult cleft patients who had been treated with ventilation tubes since childhood when chronic otitis media with effusion had been observed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-two cleft palate patients had been followed up otoscopically and audiometrically for years. The average age was 19.3 years (minimum: 14, maximum: 39 years) at the time the last status was taken. RESULTS: Otoscopy revealed a perforation of the tympanic membrane in 3.8% of the 184 ears. 12% of the patients developed cholesteatoma, however three quarters of these occurred after age 11. 86.4% of the 92 patients had normal hearing in pure tone audiometry. CONCLUSION: Compared with adult cleft patients who did not receive ventilation tubes, our patients had a similar low incidence of eardrum perforations but a higher incidence of cholesteatomas while hearing loss occurred less often. Whether the higher incidence of cholesteatomas is caused iatrogenically or due to a longer follow-up period remains unclear. Whether the use of long-lasting ventilation tubes affects the incidence of cholesteatomas must be proved in further studies.     

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.     

Evaluation of hearing thresholds in 3‐month‐old children with a cleft palate: the basis for a selective policy for ventilation tube insertion at time of palate repair

Evaluation of hearing thresholds in 3‐month‐old children with a cleft palate: the basis for a selective policy for ventilation tube insertion at time of palate repair Hearing thresholds in children with a cleft palate prior to cleft palate repair are not widely documented, and audiological criteria for short‐term ventilation tube insertion do not exist. The aims of this prospective study are to estimate hearing thresholds in 40 children with a cleft palate by 3‐month developmental age with auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) under natural sleep and to estimate a hearing threshold guideline for short‐term ventilation tube insertion. Our results show a wide range of air conduction hearing thresholds using click ABRs (2–4 Hz), which ranged from 25 to 102 dBnHL in the left ear and from 25 to 80 dBnHL in the right ear with means of 53 and 49 and standard deviations of 17 and 13 respectively. The bone conduction thresholds ranged from 0 to 55 dBnHL with a mean of 26 and a standard deviation of 13. Eighty‐three per cent of children had flat, type B, on high‐frequency tympanograms, indicative of middle ear effusion. Thirty per cent of the infants had a cleft palate associated with a known syndrome. Currently, it is the authors' practice to use short‐term ventilation tubes on a selective basis at the time of cleft palate repair when there is a conductive hearing loss of more than 55 dBnHL in the better ear as determined by ABR with type B high‐frequency tympanograms. This threshold level takes into account electrophysiological and auditory pathway maturation discrepancies. With this as the guideline, between 28% and 35% of the children in this study would be eligible for surgery. This criterion still requires further validation.     

The treatment for postirradiation otitis media with effusion: a study of three methods

Objective: To explore treatments for postirradiation otitis media with effusion (OME) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Study Design: This study is a prospective quasi‐randomized clinical trial. Methods: Ninety‐six patients (135 ears) with OME after the first course of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were divided into three groups: simple auripuncture plus aspiration, tympanic membrane fenestration with cauterization, and myringotomy plus grommet insertion. Cure rates and incidences of complications were compared. Results: Two deaths occurred. The other 94 patients (132 ears) finished a 2‐year follow‐up. In group 1, four ears (8.9%) were cured after the first treatment and 17 ears overall (37.8%) were cured by the end of the follow‐up. Twenty ears (44.4%) had persistent fluid, two ears (4.4%) developed chronic suppurative otitis media, and five ears (11.1%) developed dry eardrum perforation. In group 2, seven ears (15.6%) were cured after the first treatment and 21 ears overall (46.7%) were cured by the end of the follow‐up. Fourteen ears (31.1%) had persistent fluid, three ears (6.7%) developed chronic suppurative otitis media, and seven ears (15.6%) developed dry eardrum perforation. In group 3, eight ears (17.8%) were cured after the first treatment and 23 ears overall (51.1%) were cured by the end of the follow‐up. Seven ears (15.6%) had persistent fluid, five ears (11.1%) developed chronic suppurative otitis media, three ears (6.7%) developed eardrum perforation with effusion, and five ears (11.1%) developed dry eardrum perforation. Conclusion: The methods each have advantages and disadvantages. We believe that a step by step approach should be used when choosing the treatment method for postirradiation OME. That is, first apply auripuncture plus aspiration, and then the other methods if this approach is inadequate. Enhanced local care after grommet insertion can effectively reduce the incidence of complications.     

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 pressure 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.     

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with chronic otitis media

Chronic otitis media is generally associated with some degree of hearing loss, which is often the patient’s chief complaint. This hearing loss is usually conductive, resulting from tympanic membrane rupture and/or changes in the ossicular chain due to fixation or erosion caused by the chronic inflammatory process. When cholesteatoma or granulation tissue is present in the middle ear cleft, the degree of ossicular destruction is even greater. An issue that has recently gained attention is additional sensorineural hearing loss due to chronic otitis media. While the conductive loss can be minimized through surgery, sensorineural hearing loss constitutes a permanent after effect, attenuated only through the use of a hearing aid. However, a few groups have reported a decrease in sensorineural function in these patients as well. This survey study performed at a referral center evaluates the occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss in ambulatory patients with this disease. We reviewed the files of patients with unilateral chronic otitis media. One hundred and fifty patients met the inclusion criteria: normal otoscopy and normal hearing in the contralateral ear. Main outcome measure: bone-conduction threshold averages were calculated for frequencies of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 Hz, with comparison between the normal ear and the ear with chronic otitis media. Thresholds were examined separately for each frequency. The bone-conduction threshold averages for the normal side were lower than those for the ear with chronic otitis media. The threshold shift was statistically significant for each frequency (P < 0.0001, Student’s t test). There were differences between the groups when analyzed for age (500 and 1,000 Hz) or the presence of cholesteatoma (1,000 Hz). This study shows that chronic otitis media is associated with a decrease in cochlear function.     

Tympanic membrane/middle ear pathologic correlates in chronic otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate pathologic findings of the tympanic membrane with pathologic changes in the middle ear cleft in chronic otitis media. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred-fifty temporal bones from 97 subjects with chronic otitis media (defined as middle ear pathologic changes including granulation tissue, fluid, cholesteatoma, cholesterol granuloma, tympanosclerosis, and ossicular changes) were selected to correlate the presence of these middle ear pathologies with histopathologic changes of the tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane pathologies included perforation, myringosclerosis, retraction, hemorrhage, fluid-filled cystic spaces, or dilated vessels. Temporal bones were also assessed for atelectasis. Fifty-six normal temporal bones were taken as controls for measurements. RESULTS: Significant correlations between tympanic membrane and middle ear pathology included myringosclerosis and granulation tissue, myringosclerosis and ossicular pathology, retraction and cholesterol granuloma, retraction and cholesteatoma, retraction and ossicular pathology, perforation and ossicular pathology, and hemorrhage and granulation tissue. Additive effects of some pathologies were also observed. Almost half the bones with middle ear pathology had no associated tympanic membrane pathology, whereas multiple pathologic changes in the tympanic membrane generally showed underlying multiple pathologic changes in the middle ear. CONCLUSION: When tympanic membrane pathology is detected otoscopically, its presence, alone or in combination, can be a strong indicator of underlying middle ear pathology. However, a normal-appearing tympanic membrane does not exclude the possibility of middle ear pathology. These findings suggest the need for other diagnostic tools such as multifrequency tympanometry and otoacoustic emissions to complement otoscopy for diagnosis of middle ear pathology, especially in a tympanic membrane that appears "normal."     

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.     

Results of surgery for chronic otitis media in patients with a cleft palate

The long-term results of surgical treatment of 19 chronic ears in 16 patients with a cleft palate were analysed. The mean follow-up period was 6.5 years. The patients were found to be significantly younger than other patients with chronic otitis media. Granulating otitis media was the indication for surgery in 11 ears and cholesteatoma in 7 ears. A successful outcome after the primary operation was found in 68% of the patients. Four patients required a revision operation which was successful in all of them. Hearing results of patients with cleft palate did not differ significantly from those obtained in other patients. It is concluded that middle ear surgery should be offered to patients with a cleft palate with the same indications as in other patients with chronic otitis media.     

The otological profile of a cohort of Dutch 7.5–8-year-olds

The otological characteristics of a birth cohort of 7.5–8-year-old Dutch children are reported. Questionnaire information was available for 1004 children, while otomicroscopic, tympanometric and pure-tone audiometric data were available for 946 children. Twenty-nine per cent of the children had been treated surgically for various ENT diseases. Fifty-five per cent of the children had normal tympanic membranes, 19% mild abnormalities, and 26% moderate to severe abnormalities. At this age the prevalence of bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME), as shown by a type B tympanogram was 2.5%, while that of unilateral OME was 7%. A pure-tone average hearing level of ≥ 15 dB in the better-hearing ear was found in 4% of the children. The presence of OME was associated with a mean hearing loss of 20 dB. This study shows that structural and functional middle-ear abnormalities are highly prevalent in Dutch school children.     

Assessment of complications of the condition and of the treatment of otitis media with effusion

Persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) may cause long-term changes of the tympanic membrane and middle ear, resulting in some degree of hearing loss. One of the traditional aims of treatment with ventilation tubes is to prevent these complications from developing. Ventilation tubes themselves, however, are also known to induce changes of the tympanic membrane. Several recent studies have addressed the questions: what are the effects of the disease, and what are the result of its treatment? The object of this study was to present the state of the art, by literature review, regarding structural and functional complications of OME and treatment with ventilation tubes. In both observational and experimental studies tympanosclerosis is reported to occur in 39-65% of ears treated with ventilation tubes as opposed to 0-10% of untreated ears. For segmental atrophy these percentages are 16-73 and 5-31, respectively. Regarding the prevalence of atelectasis and attic retraction, the difference between ventilated and untreated ears is less: 10-37% as opposed to 1-20% for atelectasis, and 10-52% as opposed to 29-40% for attic retraction. The average hearing loss associated with these tympanic membrane abnormalities is less than 5 dB. Although ventilation tubes have proven very effective in improving hearing in the short term, they have not proven effective in preventing long-term changes of the tympanic membrane related to OME, nor in keeping some degree of hearing loss from developing.     

How we do it: Laser reduction of peri‐tubal adenoids in selected patients with otitis media with effusion

? The literature supports the benefit of adenoidectomy in patients with otitis media with effusion (OME). ? It is difficult to clear adenoid tissue from around the Eustachian tubes using curettes and this conventional method of adenoidectomy is contra‐indicated in patients with cleft palates. ? Laser reduction of peri‐Eustachian adenoid tissue without myringotomies or grommet insertion was performed in three patients with OME. Two patients had previous adenoidectomies performed with curettes and one patient had a cleft palate. ? In all three patients, the OME resolved and all had closure of the air‐bone gap that was maintained during long‐term follow‐up (14 months–4 years). ? This technique resolved OME without the need for myringotomies or grommet insertion and should be considered particularly in patients who have peri‐tubal recurrence of adenoidal tissue following conventional adenoidectomy or in patients with cleft palate where there is concern with regards to palatal incompetence.     

Hearing and otitis media with effusion in young adults with cleft lip and palate

Abstract Conclusion: Speech recognition in noise is affected when otitis media with effusion (OME) is present in young adults with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the hearing and performance on auditory tasks of young adults with unilateral cleft lip and palate as compared to young adults without cleft lip and palate. Methods: Twenty-six young adults with unilateral cleft lip and palate and 23 young adults without cleft lip and palate participated in the study. Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, speech recognition in noise at the word and sentence level, and masking level difference were examined. Results: Results revealed elevated hearing thresholds in the young adults with cleft lip and palate as compared with young adults without cleft lip and palate. No differences concerning speech recognition in noise and binaural processing were observed between the young adults with cleft lip and palate and those without. However, there was poorer speech recognition performance in those adults with unilateral cleft lip and palate and OME on the day of testing as compared with young adults with unilateral cleft lip and palate without OME on the day of testing.