Tympanostomy Tubes in Children With Otitis Media

Otitis media is often preceded by a viral upper respiratory tract infection that causes Eustachian tube obstruction, negative middle ear pressure, and accumulation of fluid in the normally air-filled space of the middle ear. Acute otitis media (AOM) is defined as the presence of fluid in the middle ear with signs and symptoms of an acute infection, such as fever and ear pain. Otitis media with effusion (OME) is defined as the presence of fluid in the middle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane without signs and symptoms of an acute infection. OME is defined as chronic OME, if effusion persists for 3 months or longer. Acute otitis media and chronic OME have shared causes. Children with chronic OME are prone to recurrent AOM episodes, and after an AOM episode all children have OME for some time. Chronic OME can result in hearing deficits, which put a child at risk for speech and language delays, behavioral changes, and poor academic achievement. Recurrent AOM has been shown to impact quality of life for patients and their caregivers.